Kubica Can't Wait To Race

By Anthony Fontanelle

The North American leg of this year’s Formula One season did not go well for Polish Formula One driver Robert Kubica. At the Canadian Grand Prix, he was involved in a crash which saw his car totaled. Although he only sustained a minor concussion and a sprained ankle, he was not cleared by the FIA and the doctors to participate at the United States Grand Prix.

In what is called as one of the most harrowing high-speed crashes in recent memory, Kubica accidentally hit the back of the Toyota Formula One car driven by Jarno Trulli. This forced him off the tracks and into the grass where the front end of his car was elevated. With the tires off the ground, the Pole did not have the chance to steer or brake the car.

Unable to control the car, Kubica and the Formula One car was thrown and barrel-rolled across the tracks. According to crash data recovered from Kubica’s accident data recorder, the young Formula One driver survived an impact which peaked at 75-G.

Recently, Kubica expressed that he is already feeling well. “I feel very well,” says the Pole. “I received so many good wishes from all over the world and want to thank everybody for this,” he added.

The young driver also stated in a recent interview that he is bored with the way his accident has sidelined him for the United States Grand Prix and testing at the Silverstone Circuit. “I am pretty bored with doing nothing. I am not used to resting for such a long period - no test, no pr days. But, of course, I have used the time for my fitness preparation in Italy and am also in constant contact with Josef Leberer, our team's physio,” he stated.

Kubica is not the only active driver to have suffered a high-speed crash and live to race again. Toyota driver Ralf Schumacher met an accident at the 2004 United States Grand Prix. The German driver though was sidelined for months. With the possibility of accidents happening again in the tracks, Kubica maintained that he knows the risk and the accident would not affect his driving.

“I always knew that with a single seater and open wheels an accident like this could happen. Also it can always happen again. This is the same for every driver and we are all aware of it. I feel what happened is more encouraging than worrying thanks to the outcome that you still can climb out without being hurt,” says Kubica.

After his car was totaled at the Canadian Grand Prix which would have disintegrated the car’s BMW taillight guard if it had one, Kubica expressed his appreciation to the people who had made the sport safe for drivers. “The improved safety regulations from the FIA plus the ‘safety first’ approach of our BMW Sauber F1 Team engineers and designers have made this possible. I would like to say a big personal thank you to all of them,” Kubica said.

As for the upcoming French Grand Prix, Kubica has this to say: “I can't wait to race! But whether I am allowed to or not is down to the decision of the official doctors, who I have to see before the race in Magny-Cours.”