Off Topic: Robert Kubica Seriously Injured In Rally Crash

[aaron5572]

http://http://www.autosport.com/news...t.php/id/89312

It said he crashed into a guard rail and then slammed into a church, doctors are working to save his right hand after multiple fractures suffered in the crash.

Seriously, how dumb is Renault letting their #1 driver do this kind of thing right before the season.....

[Gomer Simpson]

Seriously, how dumb is Renault letting their #1 driver do this kind of thing right before the season.....

I salute them for letting him. Racers should be allowed to race. I wish more manufacturers would support their drivers in this manner.

Hopefully he will get well and race again soon.

[iocat]

Racers gotta race. I wish RK the best possible recovery, but I don't think you can blame anyone for the accident. Personally, I'd like to see some drivers from other series barnstorm some Indy races.

[drtuba]

I thought contractual obligations kept F1 drivers out of other series. Is that just true during the season?

[jackinbox]

I thought contractual obligations kept F1 drivers out of other series. Is that just true during the season?

That's a good question. You could definitely make the argument that Rally racing is more dangerous than Indy. So maybe some of them could conceivably come over. The problem is it conflicts with Monaco.

[Max Revs]

I thought contractual obligations kept F1 drivers out of other series.

If it was a contracted Renault driver driving a rally version Renault, then there's your answer.

[RS2]

I have read today that Kubica has rallying wriiten into his contract.

He was in a Skoda. He does not drive for Renault anymore. They sold the team in the offseason. But after the deadline to change the name.

[AndrettiFan89]

Seriously, how dumb is Renault letting their #1 driver do this kind of thing right before the season.....

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/2/11714.html

"Kubica, a regular in rallying events alongside his F1 career..."

Sounds like this isn't just a one-time drive in a rally car so don't claim that Renault is dumb for letting him do this. Alot of people on here post about missing the old days when drivers would race anything anywhere at anytime. Sounds to me like Kubica has the heart of a real racer.

[atrackforumfan]

IIRC, Renault F1 now is Lotus Renault GP. Renault is an engine supplier and technology partner. The chassis are branded Renault. Renault F1 previously had been restructured as an independent company managed by an investment group, with Renault holding a minority share. They've sold that share to Lotus Cars.

[JMFVET]

Lots of good info in the F1 forum similar thread.

Apparently RK is really into rallying and his F1 contract permitted him to Rally as well.

Accident and injuries sound pretty horrific. Hope he recovers and hope he recovers well enough to race again, but the latter is in doubt.

[RS2]

Renault is officially Renault F1 Team. The sale was too late to change the name to Group Lotus. During the year they will be calling themselves Lotus Renault F1 but the official name as far as F1 goes with TV and everything else is Renault F1 Team.

[stnkypete]

I thought contractual obligations kept F1 drivers out of other series. Is that just true during the season?

Depends on the contract and what you negotiate, but this is a perfect example of why teams are reluctant to allow their drivers to go play elsewhere.

[bduddy]

IIRC, Renault F1 now is Lotus Renault GP. Renault is an engine supplier and technology partner. The chassis are branded Renault. Renault F1 previously had been restructured as an independent company managed by an investment group, with Renault holding a minority share. They've sold that share to Lotus Cars.

I believe that the investment group, Genii Capital, now owns 100% of the team; Lotus Cars is, for now, little more than the title sponsor. I think that some part of Renault still is involved with the car and engine, though.

[debdrake]

http://http://www.autosport.com/news...t.php/id/89312

It said he crashed into a guard rail and then slammed into a church, doctors are working to save his right hand after multiple fractures suffered in the crash.

Seriously, how dumb is Renault letting their #1 driver do this kind of thing right before the season.....

From the article:

"There are unconfirmed reports that Kubica's injuries were caused by the end of a crash barrier penetrating the footwell of the car - which would explain why his injuries were on his right hand side rather than by the door."

Sounds like a track problem.

[RS2]

Sounds like a track problem.

He was not on a track. He bounced off this church and into the guardrail on the other side of he road.