Kubica prognosis improves

Polish Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica was able to move his fingers on Monday after being awoken from an induced coma, prompting his Renault team boss, Eric Boullier, to speculate that he may not be out of the sport for as long as a year, as was initially feared.

Kubica, 26, was involved in a high-speed crash on Sunday, while taking part in a rally in northern Italy. He was trapped in the car for around an hour as rescue crews worked to free him from the Skoda Fabia he was driving, which hit a church wall on a downhill section.

His co-driver, Jakub Gerber, emerged from the shunt unscathed, but Kubica's injuries were apparently caused by a crash barrier, which entered the cockpit of the car. The Pole's right hand was practically severed, and had to be reattached, while he also suffered fractures to his elbow and shoulder. He underwent a seven-hour operation on Sunday, but will need further surgery.

"He was briefly woken up by the doctors," Renault said in a statement Monday. "He was then able to talk to his relatives. He was also able to move his fingers, which is encouraging for the rest of his recovery process."

"He is definitely out for a couple of months," Boullier told the BBC. "The recovery will be quicker than one year but it is a bit early to know exactly how long he will need."

Kubica has spent nearly five seasons competing in Formula 1, and is considered to be one of the best drivers on the grid. He is also one of Spanish double world champion Fernando Alonso's best friends in the sport, thanks to them spending their early days together on the karting circuit.

Alonso, who won his two world titles at the Renault team, traveled to the Pietra Ligure hospital in Italy on Sunday night after hearing about the incident. Reports suggest he was able to speak to Kubica's doctors, but it is unclear whether he was able to see the driver himself.

With just over a month to go before the 2011 season opener, on March 13 in Bahrain, there is already speculation as to who will take Kubica's seat. The Pole was likely to have offered stiff competition to frontrunners such as Alonso in the Ferrari, and current world champions Red Bull.

Renault's back-up drivers are the relatively inexperienced Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean, neither of whom has scored a point in Formula 1.

According to media reports, German veterans Nick Heidfeld and Nico Hulkenberg are already in the frame.

Despite the damage the crash could do to the team's 2011 campaign, Boullier insisted that he had no regrets over allowing Kubica to compete in the rally.

"Rallying is what Robert loves to do," he told the press. "We knew the risks and so did he. We didn't want a robot or a corporate man for a driver. It was agreed together."