Motorsports Mondial

Kubica Involved in Rally Accident

Robert Kubica, the Polish driver for the Lotus Renault GP team, was involved in an accident this morning in a rally race in Italy. A report on the blog of the French magazine, Sport Auto, said that the driver is injured, but the team has said only that he has been sent to the hospital and an update will be provided later when his condition is known.

Kubica, who set the fastest time of the Formula One test sessions last Thursday, is one of the rare F1 drivers who takes part in races outside of F1. Some teams have been known to include clauses in drivers’ contracts that prevent them from taking part in risky activities outside racing.

The Pole was racing in the Ronde di Andora, in Italy, in a Skoda Fabia S2000, when he lost control and hit a wall at high speed. His co-driver, according to Sport Auto, was uninjured, but Kubica was stuck in the car and rescue workers had to cut him out and give him a sedative as he complained of intense pain on his left side, in his arm, hand, wrist and leg.

Although he remained conscious throughout, if he has broken bones he will not likely be fit for the first Formula One race of the season, which takes place in Bahrain in five weeks, on March 13.

The Lotus Renault team has several reserve drivers ready, but the most likely to drive would be Bruno Senna, who has the most recent Formula One experience.

“Lotus Renault GP driver, Robert Kubica, suffered an accident at high speed this morning while competing in the Ronde di Andora Rally,” said the team in a statement . “The driver was airlifted to Pietra Ligure Hospital, where he is currently undergoing medical checks. His co-driver is fine. Lotus Renault GP will issue another statement as soon as more information is known about Robert’s condition.”

By BRAD SPURGEON of the New York Times