Kubica's Recovery

[Petroltorque]

Like I said most of the steering is done with the shoulders biceps and wrists, you don't need the grip of a rock climber to steer, so don't count him out yet.

In fact, one of the things Brundle keeps commenting on about how to drive a qually lap really fast is that you very specifically don't want a tight grip on the steering wheel – you don't want to tense your body up.

I appreciate that one doesn't want a death grip on the steering wheel. But as someone pointed out hand function is dependent on functioning intrinsic muscles to maintain correction tension within the finger tendons .The pictures of Kubica's injured arm the hand is in an intrinsic minus posture, the classic position of chronic nerve damage, that posture is not conducive to fine hand movement. Some correction might be possible with tendon transfers but that still requies uninjured muscle groups in the forearm. The truth of the matter is that Kubica's injury was a career ending one.

[myurr]

The bit that still sticks out to me in the onboard video is the bending and rotation of the wrist whilst steering the car. Gripping the wheel isn't going to be the problem, it'll be fitting his arm and wrist into the car with the angle it's been set at, and then having the motion within his wrist to be able to keep his right hand on the wheel at all as it moves.

True he could steer it one handed, but then he can't adjust any of the dials or the brake bias. And I don't think he's got the range of motion or fine motor controls to be able to do either with his right hand.

You also have to consider how fragile his arm, wrist and fingers are going to be in the event of a crash.

[Nando]

What also is interesting is that even though power steering is standard nowadays on an F1 car it will still not filter out things like hitting a curb etc.
Would be interesting to see how his hands cope with short burst of a strong force.

Have to say though he looks phenomenal right now. He´ll be back guaranteed.
Better then ever, stronger then ever, hungrier then ever.

[madly]

Remember, that Kubica is left-handed. On some videos it was visible, he was typing on cellular phone with right hand.

[netoperek]

Onboard from Kubica's last rally:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB0YiPrc ... r_embedded

[raymondu999]

Remember, that Kubica is left-handed. On some videos it was visible, he was typing on cellular phone with right hand.

really? I know Button is a leftie, but I never knew that of Kubica.

[Shrieker]

Onboard from Kubica's last rally:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB0YiPrc ... r_embedded

Wow, that's impressive. I would've sh@t my pants sitting next to him lol. I don't pity Robert at all.

[darro_nwa1@wp.pl]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... B0YiPrcq-0

look at that

[nacho]

I think if they can rehabilitate the right hand to fit an F1 cockpit, have some functionality and cope with the forces he will come back. A stronger powersteering will help, perhaps a different wheel to suit the grip and movement range of the right hand. I think rearranging the controls in the cockpit will not be problem, although electronics and somewhat intelligent software would help.

There have been some motorcycle riders with heavy injuries racing at the top. Doohan adopted to a thumb rear brake. Pasini's right hand has looked very weak and restricted throughout his career and he's been able to win in 250's and 125's and is currently riding a MotoGP bike.

[madly]

Video from rally - outside of the car.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2bJqhj20dY

[Shrieker]

While it's good to see him enjoying what he really likes, it's clear from the vid. that he isn't comfortable with his right arm

[netoperek]

some doctors said its very likely that his hand and elbow might be actually in much better condition than meets the eye. I have no medical background at all, in any language, so won't even try to translate what I've read to english to avoid unnecessary confusion, as I can't verify it even in polish There's supposedly some kind of growth on the bones, limiting movement, and its normal after the treatment that Robert have been subjected to. At some point after the surgeries, it can be removed and the movement is restored.
At least that's how I understood it ;p

[zgred]

32º RALLYE INTERNAZIONALE SAN MARTINO DI CASTROZZA E PRIMIERO - Stage 8 MANGHEN (Live)

Go Robert!

Edit: Out of the race on the 2nd stage. It's a pity.

[Shrieker]

There are reports that he crashed but is unhurt. http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/16/f ... undup-169/

[bhall]

Man, that guy's cursed with my luck.