Lotus Renault GP driver Robert Kubica has crashed while competing on the Ronde di Andora rally on Sunday, suffering multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand. His co-driver Jakub Gerber was not hurt.

His team released a statement saying that he is "currently undergoing surgery at the Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure." It is too early to give a prognosis on how well he would recover from the injuries, but it appears almost certain that he will miss the start of the Formula 1 season in March. It is clear, though, that the injuries are not life-threatening.

Speaking to reporters outside the hospital, Kubica's manager Daniel Morelli said: "Surgeons are trying to restore the functionality of his right hand.

"They have restarted the circulation of blood and repaired the bone structure. Now they have to think about the muscle functionality but Robert has a very strong character, he'll be OK."

The high-speed crash took place about 3 miles (4.6 kilometers) into the opening stage of the event, on a stage near the village of Testico in Italy.

Kubica is understood to have swiped a wall and hit a crash barrier in a Super 2000 Skoda Fabia on the first stage of the rally - which he was competing in shortly after completing the first week of pre-season F1 testing with Renault at Valencia.

The co-driver has stated that Kubica's injuries were caused by the end of a crash barrier penetrating the engine compartment and the footwell of the car.

According to autosport.com's sources at the event, Kubica was trapped in the car for more than one hour until specialist extraction equipment could get to the scene of the crash.

Universally liked by the fans and considered one of the top drivers in F1, Kubica is no stranger to high-speed crashes. He suffered a concussion alongside a sprained ankle at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix after hitting a wall at 186 mph (300 km/h). He was released from the hospital the next day then, but unfortunately is seems that this time his recovery will not be as swift.

Kubica will likely be replaced by the reserve driver Bruno Senna (nephew of the late Ayrton Senna).

UPDATE at 4:23 PM: Robert Kubica has successfully completed a seven hour operation. "We have to wait at least a week to see if his hand survives," said Italian hand surgery specialist Prof Igor Rossello, adding that it "could be a year" before the Pole's hand is fully healed, if functionality does indeed return.

UPDATE 2/8 at 5:40 PM: Kubica's recovery is progressing well. "His conditions have improved and are good, considering the crash," said Giorgio Barabino, who is head of the intensive care unit at the hospital. "No infections have arisen in the post-surgery phase. The limb is well vascularised and his life parameters are all within the norm. There is a good medical evolution, considering the heavy traumas suffered.

"As for recovery times, after this first day we are optimistic on the future: the patient is reacting in an excellent way."