Kubica Breaks His Leg; Delays F1 Comeback

Polish F1 driver Robert Kubica, who was seriously injured last year in a rally race car accident, suffered another blow to his hopeful F1 return when he broke his leg at his home in Italy. According to reports, Kubica, who is now recovering in a hospital, slipped on a patch of ice and broke the same leg that has been broken in the accident last year. He now has to go through another treatment and probably even have to undergo an operation to insert a metal screw above his right ankle.

That latest mishap will certainly delay Kubica's plan for an F1 comeback in 2012. At the end of 2011, his contract with Lotus Renault ran out and the team decided not to renew it and hired Finn Kimi Raikkonen as his replacement to lead its 2012 campaign. There are rumors, however, that Ferrari is interested in Kubica for 2013 when Felipe Massa's contract runs out. Yesterday his potential teammate at Ferrari, Fernando Alonso sang Kubica's praises. "For me the best driver is Robert Kubica and I want to wish him the best," said Alonso at the Vroom event at Madonna di Campiglio.

"I spoke to him yesterday and I am sure when he is going to return he is going to be the best driver of the group." Lotus-Renault also chimed in on the latest incident. "Lotus Renault GP is saddened to hear that Robert Kubica has suffered another setback in his battle to regain fitness for a return to Formula 1. Everyone at the team would like to send our best wishes to Robert for a speedy recovery." Team Principal Eric Boullier had this message for Robert: "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."