Kubica's condition is 'stable but serious'

The Renault driver was left with multiple fractures to his right arm and leg, plus severe cuts to his forearm, after crashing out of the Ronde di Andora rally. It is understood the injuries were caused by a length of crash barrier penetrating the cockpit of his Skoda Fabia and striking him.

Kubica underwent a seven-hour operation throughout Sunday afternoon at the Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure to try and save the use of his right hand - and he is said to be in a 'stable but serious' condition.

Doctors also put him into an induced coma, but he could be woken up from it sometime on Monday morning depending on his progress through the night.

Renault team-mate Vitaly Petrov and his boss Eric Boullier are scheduled to visit the hospital today to get an update on Kubica's conditions.

"The news of Robert's accident came as a real shock to the whole team," said Boullier. "All of us, at Lotus Renault GP, wish him a quick recovery.

"We have been really impressed with the way the doctors looked after him and we would like to thank the whole team of the Santa Corona Hospital for their professional approach and dedication.

"I will be travelling to Italy, along with Vitaly Petrov, in order to see Robert and tell him that we are impatiently waiting for his return."

Professor Mario Igor Rossello, the hand specialist who worked on Kubica, said he was encouraged by how the operation had gone but admitted it was too early to say how well the driver would recover.

"It has been a very important and difficult operation," he said. "Robert Kubica's right forearm was cut in two places, with significant lesions to the bones and the tendons. We did our best to rebuild the functions of the forearm.

"It took seven doctors, split into two teams and a total of seven hours to complete the operation. One team was the emergency task force from the hospital of San Paolo (Savona) that is normally appointed to treat this sort of injury, while the other team came from the orthopaedic department of the Santa Corona Hospital (Pietra Ligure).

"At the end of the operation, Robert's hand was well vascularised and warm, which is encouraging. Following the surgery, Robert Kubica will remain under permanent monitoring overnight because his condition remains serious."

Renault has said that a further statement will be made on Monday morning by Professor Rossello and Kubica's manager Daniel Morelli.