Kubica's father sees son's F1 return as a 'miracle'

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Artur Kubica, the father of Williams driver Robert Kubica, sees his son's return to the F1 grid in 2019 as a "miracle" given the ordeal he was forced to surmount.

The Polish driver's return to Grand Prix racing has been well chronicled and was made effective recently when Williams announced that the 33-year-old would be included in the team's line-up for next season.

Since almost severing his right arm eight years ago in a horrendous rally crash, it's been a long and painful road back to the grid for Kubica, marked by a massive physical and mental battle.

"If miracles happen, then yes, it is a miracle," Artur Kubica told Polish broadcaster TVN24.

"It was an uphill struggle for him. I remember when after six months, his leg had healed and then he broke it again. Such cases can destroy you psychologically.

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Professor Mario Igor Rossello, the surgeon who led the team that oversaw Kubica immediately after his tragic crash remembers the uncertainty surrounding the driver's medical situation.

"We had to fight to keep him alive," said the Italian doctor. "The fact that we saved his hand was an additional reward."

Kubica's return to F1 is perhaps the greatest comeback in the history of the sport, but the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix winner admits that there were days when he almost lost hope.

"Nobody knows exactly how much surgery I had," he said.

"Certainly more than there are races in Formula 1, and many that were unsuccessful and put me back six months."

When the lights go out in Melbourne next March, a beaming Artur Kubica will be watching.

"Today I'm happy that he is where he is. I am proud to be his father."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.