OT: Racing 2011 (Spoiler Alert)

[pk500]

Official Renault press release on Kubica's condition:

***


07.02.11 UPDATE ON ROBERT KUBICA

Robert’s general condition is much better today.

After spending the night under constant observation, he was briefly woken up by the doctors of the Santa Corona Hospital (Pietra Ligure) this morning. The Lotus Renault GP driver was then able to talk to his relatives. He was also able to move his fingers, which is encouraging for the rest of his recovery process.

Professor Mario Igor Rossello, Director for the Regional Centre of Hand Surgery at San Paolo Hospital in Savona, did not notice any swelling or infection on his right forearm, and this is another good sign, although it will be several days before it is known if the operation has been 100% successful.

In order to avoid any physical stress, Robert will be put under gentle medication in order to sleep for the next 24 hours at least. Meanwhile, the doctors will decide how they will treat his elbow and shoulder fractures. Robert may have to undergo surgery once again for this, but not for a few days.

Lotus Renault GP wishes to thank the Hospital of San Paolo (Savona) and the Santa Corona Hospital (Pietra Ligure) for their professional approach and their dedication.

Lotus Renault GP will issue another update on Robert’s condition later this evening.

***

Sounds encouraging.

[Rodster]

Does sound encouraging

Renault thinks he'll be out of action for 2-3 months.

[pk500]

Does sound encouraging

Renault thinks he'll be out of action for 2-3 months.

That sounds quite optimistic.

[Rodster]

A great talent awaiting a great car http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson ... irony.html

Now the accolades are pouring in.

Hamilton regards him as a future world champion - Kubica was the Englishman's main rival in their karting days as teenagers; Alonso has been quoted referring to him as the best driver in the world.

At Renault, they adore him - technical director James Allison was effusive in a profile of Kubica my colleague Mark Hughes wrote for this website last season.

Allison, who has also worked with Alonso, described Kubica as "one of those very, very top guys where you know that if the car is not running at the front it's because of the car, not him", adding that he was "incredibly fast, won't make mistakes under pressure and will plough on for lap after lap at a really good pace".

Even a Ferrari drive, you suspect, would not change him. Kubica is totally unaffected by fame, has a complete lack of interest in self-promotion and is unimpressed by the razzmatazz of F1.

It now remains to be seen whether he will ever sit in the Ferrari that appears to have his name on it.

[GB_Simo]

If you've ever wondered how serious Kubica was about his rallying, here's an onboard run through a stage with the crew running two cars behind him on Sunday, ending at the point of Kubica's crash:



Fairly heavy-duty stuff.

[toonarmy]

Very good news, especially when yesterday a lot of people were expecting the worst. He's clearly an elite talent and likable personality, so he will have everyone pulling for him.

The video above is pretty wild. I don't know what the guy is saying, but the tone of his voice says it all.

[pk500]

I'm surprised global corporations such as Renault and Yamaha let guys like Kubica and Valentino Rossi, respectively, compete in rallying, arguably the most dangerous form of four-wheel motorsport. Both are being paid millions per year to compete in other disciplines and are the worldwide racing faces of their firms. I'm stunned the companies were willing to accept losing their investment through an injury in another form of motorsport.

Laudable but risky, as Kubica's crash proved.

[toonarmy]

I'm surprised global corporations such as Renault and Yamaha let guys like Kubica and Valentino Rossi, respectively, compete in rallying, arguably the most dangerous form of four-wheel motorsport. Both are being paid millions per year to compete in other disciplines and are the worldwide racing faces of their firms. I'm stunned the companies were willing to accept losing their investment through an injury in another form of motorsport.

Laudable but risky, as Kubica's crash proved.

I've wondered the same thing many times, and that thought crossed my mind as soon as I heard about the crash with Kubica. Rally Cars are pretty solid, but they offer nowhere near the protection as a F1 or Indy Car, not to mention there are so many more variables on rally courses and places where a bad accident could happen. Guys like Kubica, Rossi, and the Kimster are just born competitors and cannot get their fill in one racing series evidently. I am assuming they negotiate this peripheral stuff when they agree on a contract and probably leverage it in. I would think that this wreck with Kubica might make F1 teams rethink their contracts with big stars and point back to this incident in order to draw the line with drivers they are hiring.

[pk500]

The AP moved a column yesterday on this topic. Sir Jackie Stewart said his contracts didn't prevent him from competing in other forms of auto racing, but they prohibited him from skiing and riding a motorcycle.

A Renault spokesman said Kubica insisted his contract allow him to race karts and rally cars. Renault acquiesced.

[pk500]

Latest Kubica update from Renault PR:

***


08.02.11 UPDATE ON ROBERT KUBICA

Today, Robert’s general condition has once again improved. According to the doctors, the levels of inflammation are in the norm considering his medical condition, and the recovery of his forearm remains encouraging.

Yesterday, Robert was able to talk to his doctors and relatives. His medication makes him sleep quite a lot, but he is responding to all external stimulation. He has reacted well to the news about his condition and is ready to fight for his comeback.

On Thursday, Robert should undergo some more surgery in order to stabilise the fractures to his right shoulder and right foot. Three or four days later, another operation will allow his elbow fracture to be stabilised as well.

Robert will remain at the Santa Corona Hospital for two to three weeks. A decision will then be taken about where he should go in order to continue his rehabilitation.

***

More good news.

[Rodster]

I tend to side with Renault on Robert's rally racing. As they have said young men who love competition will find any means they can to get their fix. You can't put these guys in a bubble until the start of F1.

Accidents can happen at any moment, as a Renault rep also said on or off the track. As was the case with Colin McRae who died after his career was over.

[toonarmy]

I tend to side with Renault on Robert's rally racing. As they have said young men who love competition will find any means they can to get their fix. You can't put these guys in a bubble until the start of F1.

Accidents can happen at any moment, as a Renault rep also said on or off the track. As was the case with Colin McRae who died after his career was over.

When you are paying these guys serious coin in salary and devoting millions into development of an entire team around a particular driver I think it is not a bad idea to put restrictions on what they risk outside of the season. Sure, drivers can get hurt in a variety of ways, but competitive rally racing definitely increases the odds of being hurt. Someone getting millions of dollars in salary should be able cast aside some competitive urges and stick to the career for which he is being paid.

[Rodster]

When you are paying these guys serious coin in salary and devoting millions into development of an entire team around a particular driver I think it is not a bad idea to put restrictions on what they risk outside of the season. Sure, drivers can get hurt in a variety of ways, but competitive rally racing definitely increases the odds of being hurt. Someone getting millions of dollars in salary should be able cast aside some competitive urges and stick to the career for which he is being paid.

It's not that it's a good or bad idea but when you have a driver of say Alonso, Hamilton, Kube, Vettel etc, they tend to make their terms and teams can either accept or reject their demands. I read that's why Ferrari declined to replace Massa with Kube last year because of the rallying.

As a team you take your chances and really severe life threatening accidents are not as common as a routine accident. That's why Renault probably weighed the percentages and rolled with that type of accident not happening. Also Kube has said that he wants to Rally after his F1 career so it's not like it's a hobby for him.

[pk500]

Also Kube has said that he wants to Rally after his F1 career so it's not like it's a hobby for him.

Rossi says the same thing, and he still rolled a car in his first attempt at Rally GB.

Raikkonen crashed many times last year during his debut WRC season.

Just because you WANT to become a rally driver guarantees that you will be skilled, even if you've reached the pinnacle of F1. Rallying and circuit racing are such different disciplines.

I side with Toon here. I applaud Renault for letting Kubica rally, but I always have questioned the wisdom of that decision. Especially now.

[Rodster]

Also Kube has said that he wants to Rally after his F1 career so it's not like it's a hobby for him.

Rossi says the same thing, and he still rolled a car in his first attempt at Rally GB.

Raikkonen crashed many times last year during his debut WRC season.

Just because you WANT to become a rally driver guarantees that you will be skilled, even if you've reached the pinnacle of F1. Rallying and circuit racing are such different disciplines.

I side with Toon here. I applaud Renault for letting Kubica rally, but I always have questioned the wisdom of that decision. Especially now.

That's the key right there, wisdom, not on Renault's part but rather on Robert. He should have been WISER and weighed the risks of driving a Rally car which he doesn't devout 100% to the series. His primary responsibility should have been towards his F1 career and that's where his Manager should have stepped in and said, 'Robert if you get hurt driving a Rally car YOU RISK to lose a lot more money not driving an F1 car as opposed to driving in Rally".

Renault doesn't care and shouldn't really. Think about it, they are not Ferrari, McLaren or Red Bull. Renault scored possibly the best F1 driver on the grid who might otherwise be in a red car. Renault probaly said hey if Robert wants to drive a Rally car that's ok, lets just hope he doesn't get hurt, because if we don't let him he won't drive for us.

So yeah I am in total agreement wrt wisdom but it was on Robert and more importantly his manager to convince his driver what the fallout could be if things go badly wrong.

[Rodster]

You guys want another perspective on how bad this crash was. Have a look at this pic. According to this ESPN photo the guardrail went right through the car.

http://en.espnf1.com/renault/motorsport ... 40284.html


"The latest photos of the accident's aftermath show the severity of the crash, with a guardrail piercing the length of Kubica's Skoda Fabia. According to some reports the Pole lost five pints of blood while being extracted from the car, although that figure has not been confirmed."

[F308GTB]

Ben Spies does often race bicycles in the off-season. Not as dangerous as auto racing, but broken hips, collarbones, etc do happen a lot in race crashes. His first race was just a couple of weeks ago. Here's hit writeup - http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Jan ... column.htm

He's stepping up this year and put together a team with sponsorship from Yamaha. He's turned out to be one of the better riders in Texas.

[Smurfy]

I admire Renault for letting Kubica do rally racing. I appreciate workplaces that understand that the employee is a human being with needs beyond minimization of risk and maximization of profit for the employer.

My preferrence isn't for robotic corporate race drivers and I wouldn't want Kubica to become one.

[Rodster]

I admire Renault for letting Kubica do rally racing. I appreciate workplaces that understand that the employee is a human being with needs beyond minimization of risk and maximization of profit for the employer.

My preferrence isn't for robotic corporate race drivers and I wouldn't want Kubica to become one.

Smurf, IMO it has nothing to do with Renault being nice and understanding. They are not a top level team but landed a top level driver who some argue is the best on the grid. He gave him them his demands and they really had no choice but to accept.

[GB_Simo]

Whether they're top-line now or not, the team Kubica signed for still contained a lot of the know-how that had won titles as recently as 2006 and they were the most competitive option on the table at the time he signed his contract. For someone as focused on racing as Kubica, a man whose life really is dedicated to it, that would have mattered - I'd be amazed if Renault couldn't have shoehorned a 'no extreme sports' clause into his deal had they so wished.

My preference is for drivers to do what they want outside of a racing car - they're human, they have interests and they'll be happer if allowed to pursue them - but as a team owner I'd probably push as hard as I could to protect my investment, particularly if I was building a team around that investment.

[Rodster]

But see Adam that's where a good manager comes in and that is their job to sit the lad down and say. Look stay focused in Formula 1 because you are not going to make that type of money anywhere else and if you get hurt, you risk ruining your career or cutting it short by having a major shunt in a series you are not 100% committed to.

Also while Renault won the championship in 2005 and 2006 they where no where near that level in 2008 when wonder boy came crawling back. It was a team on a fast decent. Renault was extremely lucky to sign him and his other option could have been Ferrari who would have signed him but balked at his Rally clause.

[pk500]

This electric superbike is BAD-ASS:

[GB_Simo]

I'm not saying going off and doing rallies is a sensible thing, mate, not at all. Perhaps someone should have sat down and made sure everything was 100% clear and the risks were spelled out. Having said that, we don't know it didn't happen, and Robert's an adult when all is said and done. It's not as if he hasn't hurt himself in a car before either, so you'd hope he had an awareness of what could go wrong.

Maybe it's worth it. Maybe a life isn't lived unless you do everything you want to and take the odd risk along the way. Maybe if I was trousering £10 million a year I'd be quite happy to let my main career come to an end before I spent the next 40 years or so doing other things...

Also while Renault won the championship in 2005 and 2006 they where no where near that level in 2008 when wonder boy came crawling back. It was a team on a fast decent. Renault was extremely lucky to sign him and his other option could have been Ferrari who would have signed him but balked at his Rally clause.

I know Ferrari were looking for Kubica after Massa's crash but I'm not totally convinced that was really leading to a 2010 race drive with them. Captain Morgan's not going to let anybody top-line anywhere near that other red car and they've had tabs on him for long enough, mate. That's just me, though, and Lord knows I talk some shite sometimes.

[Rodster]

I'm not saying going off and doing rallies is a sensible thing, mate, not at all. Perhaps someone should have sat down and made sure everything was 100% clear and the risks were spelled out. Having said that, we don't know it didn't happen, and Robert's an adult when all is said and done. It's not as if he hasn't hurt himself in a car before either, so you'd hope he had an awareness of what could go wrong.

We are in agreement, which is why I said that's the job of his manager to talk some sense into him to make him understand what the risks are and what it could mean to his F1 paycheck and career.

Maybe it's worth it. Maybe a life isn't lived unless you do everything you want to and take the odd risk along the way. Maybe if I was trousering £10 million a year I'd be quite happy to let my main career come to an end before I spent the next 40 years or so doing other things...

It's worth it if as a driver things go according to plan. When they don't you look back years down the road and ask was it worth it. Kube is a talent but not invincible and like you if it were me i'd take the bigger paycheck which is F1 and later on, like Schu if I got bored, i'd try motorbikes or something else.

I know Ferrari were looking for Kubica after Massa's crash but I'm not totally convinced that was really leading to a 2010 race drive with them. Captain Morgan's not going to let anybody top-line anywhere near that other red car and they've had tabs on him for long enough, mate. That's just me, though, and Lord knows I talk some shite sometimes.

No doubt Capt. Morgan is quite happy with keeping a short lease on Massa. He knows he's quick, can win races and take points away from his rivals. But HE is numero uno at Ferrari until he leaves. The last thing he wants is someone equal to him like Vettel or the next version of Lewis Hamilton in the garage next to him trying to prove he's the next future world champion waiting in the wings.

I guess the saying in the Godfather applies even here. 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer'.

[Smurfy]

I admire Renault for letting Kubica do rally racing. I appreciate workplaces that understand that the employee is a human being with needs beyond minimization of risk and maximization of profit for the employer.

My preferrence isn't for robotic corporate race drivers and I wouldn't want Kubica to become one.

Smurf, IMO it has nothing to do with Renault being nice and understanding. They are not a top level team but landed a top level driver who some argue is the best on the grid. He gave him them his demands and they really had no choice but to accept.

Wow, did I write that? On the border of hyperbole Must have been some strange chemicals in that Chinese Vegetarian dinner I had?

It is indeed questionable to keep someone employed when their known activities outside of work pose a significant risk to your own business. I guess they really should have had a talk with Kubica to ensure he participated in less risky racing or take a pay cut? Are there forms of insurance for these high-risk activities?