Kubica released from hospital but will not race in the US

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:19 am

Official release from BMW Sauber:

Montreal (CAN), 11th June 2007. Less than 24 hours after his high speed accident in the Canadian Grand Prix BMW Sauber F1 Team driver Robert Kubica has been released from hospital in Montreal. The Polish driver was given the all clear to leave by the local doctors and drove himself away from the hospital in a BMW X5.

In the crash he suffered light concussion and a sprained right ankle but when he left the hospital at noon today (Monday) he was showing few signs of what he had been through and commented: “I have no pain and feel well. I want to thank everyone for the medical attention I received and for all the good wishes. Mario Theissen and other team members came to visit me and also thanks to Jarno Trulli who came as well. I am happy that I have been able to leave the hospital so quickly and will now prepare for the race in Indianapolis.”

Kubica underwent intensive CT-scans and other checks in the Hospital du Sacre Coeur in Montreal.

Before being given the green light to race in Indianapolis Kubica will have to undergo further medical checks by the FIA Medical Delegate at the track on Thursday. This is standard procedure following such accidents. According to the regulations the BMW Sauber F1 Team has to announce its driver line-up for the weekend until Thursday 16:00 hrs.

The accident on lap 27 of the race happened just after turn 9 when the 22-year old collided with the car of Jarno Trulli, and there was no technical failure on the car.

RE30B#16 · Post by **RE30B#16** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:22 am

This is terrific news!!! Thanks, Ed!

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:29 am

Excellent !!!! I really feared for him, when he was motionless as the tub slid to a halt.

jacfan · Post by **jacfan** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:02 pm

That news has really made my day. I agree with JM, I too thought that he may not survive such an horrific accident. It took me back to '94 and all the emotions that went with it.

Southernman · Post by **Southernman** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:10 pm

Thats very good news.

A crash like that in the past, the result would be different.

cmlean · Post by **cmlean** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:14 pm

Thanks Ed.
A sprained ankle, that's one lucky man.

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:32 pm

Glad Kubica is OK!

I hope this accident doesn't have any bad effect on him.

Do you count this as his "Big One" Julian

Somehow I think he will be told to relax this weekend.

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:58 pm

JayVee wrote:Glad Kubica is OK!

I hope this accident doesn't have any bad effect on him.

Do you count this as his "Big One" Julian

Somehow I think he will be told to relax this weekend.

Hmmmm............just.

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:00 pm

cmlean wrote:Thanks Ed.
A sprained ankle, that's one lucky man.

The harness bruising in the crotch, midriff, and shoulders, is something I just really do not want to contemplate

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:02 pm

Has anyone seen any G-force figures on that impact ? I once ran at full speed into a Pacific Islanders raised forearm.....I suspect Robert may have come close to that

Ed · Post by Ed » Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:12 am

The FIA Medical Delegate did not give the green light to Robert Kubica to race at Indianapolis this weekend. BMW Sauber have therefore decided to let Sebastian Vettel race for the team at the US Grand Prix alongside Nick Heidfeld.

A statement from BMW Sauber read:

After Robert Kubica did not get the green light from the FIA Medical Delegate and the race’s Director of Medical Services to compete in the 2007 U.S. Grand Prix, the team has nominated Sebastian Vettel to drive the second BMW Sauber F1.07 (car number 10) alongside Nick Heidfeld.

For Sebastian Vettel this will be his Formula One race debut. “Of course, I am looking forward to my first F1 race”, the 19-year old German said, “but I wish it had come under different circumstances. It’s never nice if a team mate can’t drive because he had an accident. For me the Indianapolis Speedway is unknown territory, but I have prepared myself for this situation and tomorrow I have two 90 minute practice sessions. I know the car very well as I have quite a lot of testing miles under my belt.”

The team’s second test driver, Timo Glock, is also in Indianapolis and will now be nominated as the reserve driver.

Robert Kubica commented after the decision: “Naturally I’m disappointed because I felt absolutely ready to race. But I respect the decision. It was made because there is too much risk to let me race in this Grand Prix in case I have had another impact so soon after Montréal. I will go home now. I wish Sebastian all the best. It is good for him and I am pretty sure he will do a good job.”

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen: “In reviewing the accident and medical examination the doctors did not give Robert the green light to race. There will be another medical check before the race in Magny-Cours. Although the doctors see Robert in a remarkably good condition they will not let him race here mainly because of the risk of another impact. We respect the decision of the medical personnel. The team was prepared for this situation. Sebastian will receive all possible support from us and we hope for another good race here.”

jacfan · Post by **jacfan** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:48 pm

Thanks Ed.

jido · Post by **jido** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:17 pm

I am not too sorry for Kubica: it is probably safer for him this way. He will probably race again soon enough, in France.

But I am excited to watch Vettel debuts in F1 racing!

jacfan · Post by **jacfan** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:12 pm

jido wrote:I am not too sorry for Kubica: it is probably safer for him this way. He will probably race again soon enough, in France.

But I am excited to watch Vettel debuts in F1 racing!

Yes Robert will be back and it will be interesting to see Vettel this weekend.

gkaytaz · Post by **gkaytaz** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:06 am

I too am glad that Kubica is okay. The accident looked so bad that I had thought he'd have gone out of racing for months if not for good.