Robert Kubica on Thursday left the intensive care unit at the Italian hospital where he is being treated after last weekend's horror crash.

After being airlifted to the hospital by helicopter on Sunday, he underwent seven hours of surgery to try to save the use of his severely damaged right hand.

He will undergo a new operation on Friday and is also awaiting surgery on his upper arm and foot.

During the Ronde di Andora Rally, Kubica is reported to have taken a bend at speed when he lost control and hit a guard rail which smashed the driver's door and bent the roll-bar.

He ended up in a church wall. His co-driver, Jacub Gerber, emerged from the wreck unhurt but Kubica remained inside until emergency services removed him from the wreckage.

AFP

(China Daily 02/12/2011 page15)