Robert Kubica has received another setback in his bid to return to Formula One after re-injuring his leg in a fall near his home in Italy.
Polish driver re-injures leg in fall near his home
Robert Kubica has received another setback in his bid to return to Formula One after re-injuring his leg in a fall.
The Polish driver slipped on ice near his home in Tuscany and has reopened a fracture in his right leg he sustained in a rally crash last year.
He was taken to hospital for treatment, including a scan on his right leg, but it is thought he left later on.
Kubica missed the whole of the 2011 season after suffering severe arm and leg injuries in a serious accident at the Ronde di Andora in February.
He was unable to return to the cockpit before the end of the season and further doubt was thrown over his future when he was not named in the 2012 driver line-up at Lotus-Renault, for whom he had previously driven.
The latest injury trouble is likely to further delay any possible return to F1.
Kubica is now out of contract with Lotus, but team principal Eric Boullier was quick to wish him a speedy recovery after his latest setback.
"Robert has shown fantastic courage and determination in his rehabilitation following the accident last year, and it is sad to hear that he has suffered this setback," he said.
"On behalf of everyone at Lotus Renault GP, I would like to wish Robert a quick recovery."
No Ferrari agreement
Meanwhile, Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has denied speculation that Kubica has signed an agreement with them for next season.
"That was not on our plan," he told
Autosport during Ferrari's annual winter retreat in the Italian Dolomites.
"For sure Robert Kubica is a great driver that had a very severe injuries and at the moment he is still working very hard to try to go back to his normal living.
"So before any kind of thinking or discussion of whatever could be, we need to wait and see.
"For sure that kind of injury is taking a long time to recover so I can say we will wait and see if he is going to recover, but at the moment there is nothing in place."
Speaking on Thursday, Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso labelled Kubica the "best driver" in F1.
"I spoke to him on the telephone about his leg yesterday and I am sure when he is going to return he is going to be the best driver," he added.
