Robert Kubica, the Lotus Renault Formula One driver seriously injured in a crash in the Ronde di Andora rally, has been moved from intensive care to a trauma ward as he continues his recovery following surgery to save his hand.
The 26-year-old Pole is responding well to treatment in a hospital in Italy after suffering multiple fractures in Sunday's crash. He is scheduled to undergo surgery to his foot and humerus tomorrow morning, before an operation on his elbow on Monday. The operations are expected to last around four hours each.
Doctor Giorgio Barabino, the head of the intensive care unit at Savona's Santa Corona di Pietra Ligure hospital, said: "Tomorrow he will undergo a double surgery in his foot and shoulder.
"Then next week we expect to perform the last operation on the patient. His general condition is good, so much so that we can programme two operations tomorrow."
Meanwhile in Jerez, where the F1 teams are their continuing pre-season testing, the Polish message "Szybkiego powrotu do zdrowia Robert [Get Well Soon Robert]" was displayed on the sides of the cars.