8 Feb 2011

Formula One driver could be back faster than first thought

1:04 pm on 8 February 2011

The Formula One Renault boss is predicting his star driver, Robert Kubica, could recover much sooner than his doctors are predicting following his high-speed crash yesterday in Italy.

The 26-year-old Pole was operated on for seven hours after he sustained multiple fractures to his right leg and arm after hitting a church wall but may still require further surgery.

Doctors were worried about the functionality of Kubica's right hand and predicted he could take a year to recover.

Renault team boss Eric Boullier is more optimistic, but still says the Pole is likely to be out for at least a couple of months.

Bruno Senna is likely to take Kubica's place at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix in five weeks.