The horrifying crash that ended Robert Kubica's Ferrari dream

Fifteen years ago today, on 6 February 2011, Robert Kubica's Formula 1 career came to a brutal halt in a rally crash that would alter the course of his racing journey.

The Polish driver was competing in the Ronde di Andora rally when his Skoda Fabia skidded wide on a slippery right-hand corner, striking a guard rail. 

The impact pushed the barrier outward into a second rail, which penetrated through the cockpit at high speed. Kubica was injured, but his co-driver was unharmed.

Rescue workers spent over an hour extracting him from the wreckage. The damage was catastrophic: a partial amputation of his right forearm, 42 fractures across his right side, and massive blood loss. 

Kubica arrived at the hospital with just one and a half litres of blood, whereas a human body typically contains six or seven litres. The right side of his body was completely shattered.

The timing made it even more devastating. Just days earlier, Kubica had set the fastest time at a pre-season test as he prepared for the new season with Renault. 

It was largely unknown at the time, but according to Kubica, he had agreed a deal with Ferrari to race for the team in 2012 alongside Fernando Alonso.

The rally was due to be his final event before focusing solely on F1.

Kubica endured multiple operations and eventually returned to F1 with Williams in 2019, though limited mobility in his right arm hampered his comeback. He scored the team's only point that season but was comprehensively out-qualified by George Russell.

However, in his later career, Kubica managed to find success with Ferrari as he teamed up with the manufacturer in the World Endurance Championship.

Last year, Kubica enjoyed a significant highlight of his career as he triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time.