Formula One 2011

[nuninho]

Starts next month.

Already Kubica a doubt after a crash earlier whilst rallying.

Kubica hospitalised after rally crash   

By Jonathan Noble and Matt Beer   Sunday, February 6th 2011, 10:41 GMT

Robert Kubica has been taken to hospital in Italy after a high-speed rally crash.

The Renault Formula 1 driver was contesting the Ronde di Andora rally in a Skoda Fabia when he had a heavy accident on the opening stage.

Kubica was transported to Pietra Ligure hospital by helicopter and is currently undergoing medical checks. Team sources confirmed that Kubica remained conscious throughout.

The Renault team said it would release further information once more was known about Kubica's condition. His co-driver Jakub Gerber was not injured.

Kubica has regularly contested rallies alongside his F1 career in recent years. This weekend's event in Italy was his first appearance in a Super 2000 car.

Should Kubica not be fit for the start of the 2011 season, his Renault team has no shortage of reserve drivers.

However, team principal Eric Boullier made it clear last week that Bruno Senna would be his number one choice to slot into a race seat - because he is the one with the most contemporary F1 experience.

"I will give it to the one who is ready," Boullier said when asked which of his reserves was most likely to be used first. "Bruno is the most ready driver."

From Autosport.com

[spangley1812]

a further update from the BBC sport website..........

Formula 1 star Robert Kubica has suffered fractures to his left arm and left leg after a high-speed rally crash in Italy, BBC Sport understands.

The 26-year-old Pole crashed into a church wall and was air-lifted to a hospital near Genoa.

His British-based Renault team said the driver was conscious with a statement due later after further medical checks.

It looks unlikely he will be ready for the new Formula 1 season, which starts on 13 March in Bahrain.

Kubica's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, but following surgery in 2003 after a serious road accident as a passenger that left him with titanium bolts in his arm, there will be doubts about his ability to continue in the sport.

A Renault statement read: "Robert Kubica suffered an accident at high speed this morning while competing in the Ronde di Andora Rally.

"The driver was airlifted to Pietra Ligure Hospital where he is currently undergoing medical checks. His co-driver [Jakub Gerber] is fine."

They added that another statement would be issued as soon as more information was known about their driver's condition.

Reports suggested that Kubica was 4.6km from the start of the Ronde di Andora rally when the crash occurred on Sunday.

The former driver for the BMW Sauber team in Formula 1 regularly competes in rallies and was driving a week after testing the new Renault in Valencia ahead of the season's opener in Bahrain.

Kubica was due to lead Renault alongside Russian Vitaly Petrov of Russia, who has a long-term contract to race for the team after signing for the 2011 and 2012 season over the winter.

The reserve drivers for 2011 include Bruno Senna - who raced for Hispania last season - and Frenchman Romain Grosjean, who drove for Renault as a replacement for Nelson Piquet Jr in 2009.

It is likely that either of these drivers will be called up for the second pre-season test which starts in Jerez on Thursday.

Kubica was an impressive performer last season to finish in eighth position in the drivers' table, securing second at Melbourne and a third in Monaco and Belgium.

The Krakow-born star also suffered a bad crash at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2007 and was forced to miss one race. He returned a year later on the same track to claim his first Formula 1 victory.


 

[TheSandman]

Hope he has a speedy recovery. Great driver on his day but has never got the car to do it.

As an aside - What on earth is going on with there being two Lotus teams?

[TheSandman]

Unlikely that he will race again apparently. They will know more later this week but he had to get surgery to reconstruct his hand.

[TheSandman]

Finally the season is going to get started.

Red Bull look good in testing but you really can't draw many conclusions from pre-season.

[Shrek]

Mclaren have performed a miracle.

Vettell on pole, Lewis 2nd, Webber 3rd, Button 4th.

Red Bull again look really good in qualifying, but with the new rules I think Lewis could get him.

Ow and Ferrari 1.5 seconds of the pace ( he he)

[darren woolley]

Vettel wins the Australian Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton in second and Petrov in third.

[nuninho]

Going to be hard to bet against Vettel again this year.  The kid looks out of everyone else's league.

[TheSandman]

Seems so.

Petrov's car didn't half fly off that kerb. I think he forgot he wasn't trying to recreate the chase scene from Bullit.

[mattjpa]

Seems so.

Petrov's car didn't half fly off that kerb. I think he forgot he wasn't trying to recreate the chase scene from Bullit.

that landing has got to have hurt!

[*shellac*]

Oh...Vettel again.

It's getting boring.

[*shellac*]

Button wants to drive for Red Bull?

[Rotterdam]

I enjoyed yesterdays race. Nice one Hamilton and well done for Webber, his drive at the end was good to watch.

[Jon Crofts]

Off topic but anyone seen Senna yet?

Brilliant viewing, some of the in car footage is amazing for the lack of safety devices, speed & the sheer brilliance of Senna.
Will anyone ever come close to Ayrton again?

[flybo]

NO