In the spotlight: Robert Kubica

A special medical commission from Formula 1's governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) decided, after medical and psychological tests, that the risk of another accident involving Kubica is too high. F1's chief doctor Gary Hartstein claimed that another collision could have much more severe consequences for Kubica.

The Polish driver's accident in Montreal during the Canadian Grand Prix made as many headlines as the results of the race. Kubica lost control of his car after he brushed another car while trying to pass, and hit a wall at 230 km/h. The car shattered into pieces and lost three of its wheels. Although he lost consciousness in the impact, Kubica miraculously suffered only a twisted ankle. Experts praised the safety systems in F1, claiming that 10 years ago the Polish driver would have stood no chance of surviving such a crash.

Kubica is the first Polish F1 driver ever - having started racing in this category in 2006. Before the US Grand Prix last weekend he was ranked seventh in the F1 general standings. His best result so far was his third-place finish in the Italian Grand Prix last year. Prior to his F1 career, Kubica won the championship in the 2005 Formula World Series by Renault. He has also raced in Formula A and Formula 3. In 1998, at the age of 14, he was second in the European go-kart championship.