Dr Rossello: We had to fight to keep Kubica alive

But, we all know now, it was not the end of his Formula 1 journey as he has made a miraculous comeback from that near-death experience to harness his gutsy story and attract backing from PKN Orlen to continue his dream with Williams next year.

The 33-year-old Pole, not only owes the use of his hand to Doctor Rossello but also his life as it turns out.

At the time Rosello was a head surgeon at the Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure on duty when the critically injured pole was airlifted to hospital from the accident site.

Speaking to Sky Italia, the Doctor recalled, "We had to fight to keep him alive. The fact that we saved his hand was an additional reward. The shoulder and the whole right side of his body compromised by the trauma. Having the responsibility of performing the recovery and reconstruction of the amputated limb following the accident gives me great joy."

Some have questioned if Kubica can deal with the challenges of driving a modern Formula 1 car in the modern era whereby the steering wheel does a great deal more than turn the car.

But Rossello has no doubts, "He could never dream of taking the wheel of a Formula 1 car if he did not have the full functionality of the limb. His victories in WRC2 have already shown how efficient the limb was to drive a rally car in conditions that are probably even more difficult and complex than racing on a track."

Needless to say, the Doctor was one of the first to know from Kubica personally that the Williams deal for 2019 was signed, and revealed, "I could not see if he was crying but he was very excited."

https://www.grandprix247.com/2018/11/29/williams-confirms-kubica-backers-pkn-orlen-as-major-sponsors/