F1 driver Kubica out of intensive care

Rome: Formula One driver Robert Kubica on Thursday left the intensive care unit at the Italian hospital where he is being treated after last weekend’s horror crash. The Lotus Renault driver is now being held in the accident and emergency unit at the Santa Corona hospital in Pietra Ligure as he continues his recovery from the injuries suffered during the Rally of Andora in Savona. After being airlifted to the hospital by helicopter on Sunday he underwent seven hours of surgery to try to save the use of his severely damaged right hand. He will undergo a new operation on Friday and is also awaiting surgery on his upper arm and foot. During the Ronde di Andora Rally, Kubica is reported to have taken a bend at speed when he lost control and hit a guard rail which smashed the driver’s door and bent the roll-bar. He ended up in a church wall.His co-driver, Jacub Gerber, emerged from the wreck unhurt but Kubica remained inside until emergency services removed him from the wreckage. His Formula One team said on Tuesday he would need to stay at the Santa Corona hospital for another two to three weeks before a decision could be made on where to transfer him next to continue his recovery. With Kubica expected to be sidelined for between six months and a year Lotus Renault are taking steps to find a temporary replacement with Bruno Senna, nephew of the late world champion Ayrton Senna, and Nick Heidfeld, set to be put through their paces at Jerez in Spain this weekend. Bureau Report