MONTREAL -- Polish driver Robert Kubica was released from hospital yesterday, a day after his Formula One car was destroyed in a spectacular crash, but he still needs approval to compete next weekend.
Kubica, who walked with a slight limp as he emerged from the hospital, said he feels "very lucky" surviving the crash at the Grand Prix of Canada on Sunday.
Kubica, who suffered a minor concussion and a sprained ankle, hopes to be back behind the wheel for this weekend's race in Indianapolis.
"I feel very good," the 22-year-old told reporters. "I was very lucky."
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Kubica's car went off the track on a turn during the 27th lap, slamming head-on into a wall before sliding across the track in a stream of debris.
He said his racer made contact with one driven by Jarno Trulli and that's what sent him flying. There was no technical failure on Kubica's car.
"We just touched together," said Kubica, who drives for the BMW Sauber team.
Kubica said he remembers the crash, but had not seen it on television. He wasn't sure whether he would seek out the video.
"I saw it when I was in the car," he said of the accident, giving a slight smile and a shrug.
Dr. Ronald Denis, the head of the trauma unit at the hospital, said he was amazed the young driver survived.
"I was at the [racetrack] tower, and to be honest with you, when I saw the accident I thought we were going to arrive there and he would be dead," Denis said.
"But when we arrived there, he was talking to us, complaining of some pain in his right ankle. He was breathing, talking."
Denis said the force of the crash was significant, but that the safety measures in place in modern racing contributed to the driver's survival.
"The way now the cockpit is built, the way the car is built, the way everything is built," he said.
"The track is in very good condition to prevent major accidents like that. In our regular car, for sure we would have been dead."
Denis said the racetrack has a full trauma unit like any hospital to handle serious accidents, and air ambulances are ready to transport the injured. Kubica was airlifted to the hospital after triage at the scene.
Kubica underwent intensive computerized tomography scans and a battery of other tests in hospital.
Denis said Kubica should be able to compete at Indianapolis, but the final decision rests with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile medical delegate at the track.
This is standard procedure after an accident.
The BMW Sauber team has until Thursday afternoon to announce its driver lineup.
