Niki Lauda has slammed Robert Kubica's decision to take part in rallying, accusing him of being "unreasonable".
Former champion says Renault driver should not have been taking part in rallies
Three-time world champion Niki Lauda has slammed Robert Kubica's decision to take part in rallying, accusing him of being "unreasonable".
The Renault Formula One driver was seriously injured when his car crashed into a roadside barrier during the Ronde di Andora rally in Italy last weekend.
Kubica suffered a partially severed right hand plus multiple fractures to his right arm and leg in the crash and looks set to miss the entire 2011 F1 season.
The 26-year-old insisted he has no regrets about taking part in rallying and even claimed it helped his concentration as an F1 driver.
However, Lauda said that the risk was unnecessary and that Kubica should have concentrated only on F1.
"It makes no sense for him to put his job and his life at risk like this. Was it unreasonable? Of course it was," the Austrian told
SpeedTV. "He has to ensure that he can do his job, and his job is F1. Only he is to blame for what happened to him. Did he have to be doing this? No!"
Nonsense
Speaking to
Gazzetta dello Sport last week, Kubica, who remains in intensive care ahead of further surgery on Wednesday, said: "I drive better in Formula One because I have taken part in many rallies.
"The rallies help you in concentration, considering that in Formula One there are very few tests. Rallies have allowed me to work on certain areas that I can improve on. It is important in a season where you have 20 grands prix."
In response, Lauda said: "That's nonsense. Rally driving has nothing to do with F1. They are different sports."
