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[Amanda]

This is the onboard from the car following Kubica's, it was the first car to arrive at the scene.
[youtube]ALbxMiwf4nw[/youtube]

Check out how narrow the road is and how many lethal looking obstacles there are right on the edge of the road. Scary stuff really.

I can't see any obvious skids and no wreckage at the last slight right-hander before the crash scene. Racing line would have taken him to the side where the car ended up. The armco looks damaged ahead of where he ended up. Looks like he might have just gone a tiny bit too far to the right, down off the edge into the armco, but the armco dug into the car and spun it around (hence facing the other way). When the car drives ahead and parks you can see some wreckage on the road - a fair way ahead so he must have been motoring when he hit.

That circuit is terrifying. There's a translation of what the driver is saying (how precise I don't know) in the youtube comments. According to that:

2:30 Driver: "Scivola" - which means that the car is skidding (or the road is slippery). Pilot confirms "Yes, I can feel that".
3:25 Pilot: "ok, drive, drive."
3:27 Driver: "Is (he) injured (is there an injurer)?"... Pilot: "He's injured, he's injured"
3:28 "s***!"
3:34 "ok, ok, stop here, stop here..."
3:41 "s***... (garbled)"
3:42 "... no, I don't know..."
3:44 "I knew he would smash there" or "I knew, he would get dragged there".

[Hammer278]

Apparently he hit a church wall. Where's the church?? Is it on the far right away from cam view?

[NocturnalTendencies]

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-will-raikkonen-replace-robert-kubica/

Interesting article regarding Kimi as a possible replacement for RK... one can only hope it comes to pass.

[sgh]

OMG! Did anyone catch the driver's breathing at the end of clip? The level of adrenaline in their system being in such a heightened state of perception has to take such a physical toll on them!

It's really difficult to say what was the cause, maybe just a slight putting a tire wrong that he then couldn't correct, this guy almost lost it at around the middle of the clip going very wide and having to really correct. What's the gap in time of release because going by the length of the video Kubica must have been driving the road at the same time and just had the accident a minute or so before the end of the clip.

Just insane to see racing is difficult enough in a track but in an uncontrolled environment like this takes a complete other level of focus.

interesting you thought that. when i heard the breathing, i thought they must have been able to see something pertaining to kubica's condition that couldn't be seen on the vid.

[Ayrton Senna is God]

It always happens to the one you want it to the least. Hope for a speedy recovery Robert.

[What's Burning?]

OMG! Did anyone catch the driver's breathing at the end of clip? The level of adrenaline in their system being in such a heightened state of perception has to take such a physical toll on them!

It's really difficult to say what was the cause, maybe just a slight putting a tire wrong that he then couldn't correct, this guy almost lost it at around the middle of the clip going very wide and having to really correct. What's the gap in time of release because going by the length of the video Kubica must have been driving the road at the same time and just had the accident a minute or so before the end of the clip.

Just insane to see racing is difficult enough in a track but in an uncontrolled environment like this takes a complete other level of focus.

interesting you thought that. when i heard the breathing, i thought they must have been able to see something pertaining to kubica's condition that couldn't be seen on the vid.

I don't think there was much time to really have seen anything since he was slowed to a stop about 20 meters or so from the crash site and then drove past it and parked. it's all my interpretation so I could be wrong, but it sounded like the breathing of someone that's been under a good bit of physical exertion for a few minutes.

It always happens to the one you want it to the least. Hope for a speedy recovery Robert.

I wouldn't want that on any driver Kubica is no exception!

[spankyham]

Image of the Kube's car from behind (how lucky was he!!!)-


Click on the video at this website to see an animated simulation of what they think happened.

[vlad]

He was lucky, indeed, although he suffered multiple fractures! Here are more news on the subject:

Code: Select all

Kubica's condition improving, more surgery planned 08 Feb 2011
 
Renault’s Robert Kubica is continuing to make good progress at Italy’s Santa Corona Hospital, as he recovers from the serious injuries he sustained in a high-speed crash during the Ronde di Andora Rally on Sunday.

After being airlifted to the hospital, Kubica underwent seven hours of surgery to reconstruct his right forearm. He was woken up for a brief spell on Monday and was able to speak to medical staff and his family. The Polish driver is now expected to undergo further surgery over the coming week. 

“Robert’s general condition has once again improved,” confirmed the team in a statement. “According to the doctors, the levels of inflammation are in the norm considering his medical condition, and the recovery of his forearm remains encouraging. His medication makes him sleep quite a lot, but he is responding to all external stimulation. He has reacted well to the news about his condition and is ready to fight for his comeback.”

Additional surgery will take place on Thursday to stabilise fractures to Kubica’s right shoulder and right foot. Three or four days later, another operation will take place to treat his elbow fracture. Kubica is expected to stay at the Santa Corona Hospital for the next two to three weeks, before it's decided where he will continue his rehabilitation. 

[texasmr2]

Man that pic gives me the chills!!! I've seen some pics of accidents where that happened but sheered off legs and went completely through one of the occupants. If RK does not race again atleast he will be alive and a whole person barring any unforseen complications.

[vlad]

Let's just hope he gets well soon, and than he can think about returning to F1!

[Robert12010]

well that picture that is taken from the rear shows how lucky robert and his co driver were!

[vlad]

It looks like something from the movies...

Well, untill he's better, I would like to see Heidfeld drive again. I think he would be a reasonable choise to line-up with Petrov!

Hulkenberg is also a splendid driver, but he is still young, so they should aim for the more experienced drivers.

[f1ea]

Wow. So.. a couple of inches to either side and it would have been fatal. Well.. dont wanna think too much about it anymore. Good news is Robert seems to be ok and the prognosis have tamed a little bit from day 1.

As for Heidfeld... hmmm i dont know. Heidfeld is a nice guy and all... but i dont see him as the guy to lead this Renault team into a surprisingly good season. There's only a handful of these guys, and Heidfeld doesnt fit the criteria for me. Even Kimi could be out of such league after his long time out.

Who knows, maybe give their reserves a chance for a race or two... or at least some good testing to see their potential, we might be surprised. But if anyone asks me, a surprise like the one they need could only be given by a handful.... Kobayashi, Kimi or Hulkenberg ? apart from some obvious big names.

Which leaves them with Kimi or Hulkenberg.... realistically Hulkenberg and their reserves, adding Liuzzi for his experience (with some heavy prayers to the F1 crash gods).

[vlad]

Keep in mind that Heidfeld already drove alongside Kubica, so, that could be usefull as well...

[texasmr2]

Whoever Renault get too fill in for RK Petrov should now be given the #1 status or leader for the team, this could be his year to really impress .