After the crash, Kubica contemplates next race

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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Out of action for Indianapolis, BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica, hopes to return to the track for next week's French Grand Prix at Magny Cours. It is a testament to the safety advances in modern Formula 1 cars -- and the determination of the young Polish driver -- that Kubica survived the nearly 180 mph (290 km/h) crash at Montreal on June 10 virtually unscathed, and ready to race just three weeks later.

The crash happened when Kubica's front wing got caught underneath the back wheel of Jarno Trulli's rear wheel. This caused Kubica's rear wheels to flip upwards, counter-acting downforce and sending the BMW Sauber into a concrete guard wall at 145 mph (233 km/h).

The crash -- one of the most spectacular and terrifying in recent F1 history -- has become the subject of feverish internet speculation. Conspiracy theories have been stoked by the insistence by Formula One Management (FOM) that all footage of the crash -- including that taken by spectators on cell phone video cameras -- was removed from file-sharing site YouTube.

More reasonable commentators have noted that FOM is merely protecting its own intellectual property, and that it is not evidence of a cover-up.

In the light of the crash, FIA technical delegate Charles Whiting, has confirmed that facilities at Montreal's Gilles Villeneuve circuit are to be upgraded, with the concrete guard wall being moved closer to the track edge so it is running parallel to the circuit. And fencing will be installed to prevent debris from spreading over the hairpin to the other side of the track.

Kubica's only injuries were slight concussion and a sprained ankle. CT scans and health checks at Montreal's Sacre Coeur Hospital gave Kubica the all-clear and he drove away from the hospital determined to race again at Indianapolis.

However, an examination by FIA medical delegate Dr Gary Hartstein at Indianapolis the following Thursday revealed that Kubica wasn't performing as well as he would under normal circumstances. And thus Kubica was denied a race.

His predecessor Professor Sid Watkins believes Hartstein made the right call. He told Autosport magazine: "There is always a worry with young people if they have two impacts close together -- the second impact syndrome. It is very rare, but it does exist. Anybody who has to make a decision would be worried about that possibility. I've been told he was unconscious for about 30 seconds."

The claim that Kubica was unconscious is one that had been denied by his management. Kubica had said that he remembered "nearly everything" about the incident.

Nevertheless BMW motorsport boss Mario Theissen acknowledged the severity of the incident: "I think he wouldn't have survived something like this 10 years ago. To get a driver back unhurt after such a huge accident is fantastic."

For last Sunday's United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis, 22-year old Kubica was replaced by 19-year old German, Sebastian Vettel. Coming in at eight place, Vettel scored one point for BMW Sauber -- at just 19 years and 349 days old, making him the youngest driver ever to have scored a world championship point.

Kubica has since responded to fans who have asked how he has been feeling during a press conference on July 21: "I feel very well and it was touching how often I was asked this question! I received so many good wishes from all over the world and want to thank everybody for this."

His inactivity over the Indianapolis weekend is not something that comes naturally to Kubica: "I am pretty bored with doing nothing. I am not used to resting for such

a long period. No test, no PR days. But, of course, I have used the time for my fitness preparation in Italy and am also in constant contact with Josef Leberer, our team's physio."

But how will the accident influence his future in racing? Kubica says: "I always knew that with a single seater and open wheels an accident like this could happen. Also it can always happen again. This is the same for every driver and we are all aware of it.

"I feel what happened is more encouraging than worrying, thanks to the outcome that you still can climb out without being hurt. The improved safety regulations from the FIA plus the safety first approach of our BMW Sauber F1 Team engineers and designers have made this possible.

"If I had been born earlier I would have still wanted to race in Formula One, but most likely would have suffered injuries. I feel I am lucky to be racing in modern Formula One."

Kubica's drive at the French Grand Prix is dependent on getting the all clear from FIA's medical delegate before the race weekend.

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