Kubica continues to make progress

The Renault driver is scheduled to remain in intensive care for another three days, but medical staff are encouraged by the way his condition has improved since his lengthy operation on Sunday.

Giorgio Barabino, who is head of the intensive care unit at the Santa Corona hospital where Kubica is being looked after, was quoted as saying by IVG.it that the Polish driver was coming along in an 'excellent' way.

"His conditions have improved and are good, considering the crash," Barabino said. "No infections have arisen in the post-surgery phase. The limb is well vascularised and his life parameters are all within the norm. There is a good medical evolution, considering the heavy traumas suffered.

"At the moment we are confident on the evolution of the medical situation. Kubica will have to stay in intensive care for between 48 and 72 hours, during which all kinds of checks of the arm's and hand's functionality will be carried out.

"As for recovery times, after this first day we are optimistic on the future: the patient is reacting in an excellent way.

"Within one week surgery can be performed on the fractured elbow and the humerus, which haven't been treated yet. Today [Monday] the driver has always been awake and conscious, even though he feels pain. Despite being sedated he talked with his manager and with hospital personnel."

Kubica has also elected to remain at the Santa Corona hospital, rather than be moved somewhere else.

"We are obviously delighted with this decision," Barabino added. "We are satisfied with our work and with this acknowledgement.

"Robert's medical evolution is excellent: he is able to drink and to execute small movements with the hand."

Although the hospital is encouraged with his progress, Barabino still thinks it could take up to one year for Kubica to fully recover from his injuries.

"It's difficult to make predictions," he said. "What's certain is that it's rare to find such a strong patient.

"A partial recovery will be possible within a few months: we'll see if he can reach a full functionality of his arm and hand. To reach an objective such as this, he would need one year anyway."