Robert Kubica underwent a seven-hour operation at the Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure this afternoon. The Lotus Renault GP driver had been diagnosed with multiple fractures to his right arm and leg following a high-speed accident at the Ronda de Andora rally this morning. He also suffered severe cuts to his forearm, which could have an impact on his right hand mobility.

Doctors are reasonably satisfied with the way the operation went. Tonight, Robert's condition remains stable but serious. He has been placed into an induced coma and could be woken up in the morning.

"It has been a very important and difficult operation," admitted Professor Mario Igor Rossello, Director for the Regional Centre of Hand Surgery at San Paolo Hospital in Savona. "Robert's right forearm was cut in two places, with significant lesions to the bones and the tendons. We did our best to rebuild the functions of the forearm. It took seven doctors, split into two teams and a total of seven hours to complete the operation.

"One team was the emergency task force from the hospital of San Paolo (Savona) that is normally appointed to treat this sort of injury," Rossello continued, "while the other team came from the orthopaedic department of the Santa Corona Hospital (Pietra Ligure). At the end of the operation, Robert's hand was well vascularised and warm, which is encouraging. Following the surgery, Robert will remain under permanent monitoring overnight because his condition remains serious."

However, the professor offered a glimmer of hope when he added: "Drivers are always very special patients. I have a lot of motorbike patients and they heal in the fastest way possible, much faster than normal people."

"The news of Robert's accident came as a shock to the whole team," said Lotus Renault GP team boss Eric Boullier. "All of us, at Lotus Renault GP, wish him a quick recovery. We have been really impressed with the way the doctors looked after him today and we would like to thank the whole team of the Santa Corona Hospital for their professional approach and dedication.

"I will be travelling to Italy tomorrow, along with Vitaly Petrov, in order to see Robert and tell him that we are impatiently waiting for his return." Another update will be made tomorrow morning at 9:30, at the hospital, by Prof. Rossello and Daniel Morelli, Robert's manager."