"Risks Part of Life for Racers" Says Booth

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Formula One drivers are not a corporate robot they must be allowed to indulge their thirst for danger even if they run the risk of horrific accidents like Robert Kubica's rally crash, according to Virgin Racing team principal John Booth.



"It's a shocking accident and I really feel for Robert and the whole team," he said at the launch of his team's 2011 car. "But sometimes you just can't wrap them in cotton wool, can you?
"Robert almost lost his arm five years ago in a road accident. You can't stop them driving cars, can you?," added the Briton.

Poland's Kubica, who raced for Booth's Manor Formula Three team in Macau in 2004 alongside Britain's Lewis Hamilton, suffered multiple fractures to his right hand, arm and leg in the smash in Italy.


Poland's Kubica, who raced for Booth's Manor Formula Three team in Macau in 2004 alongside Britain's Lewis Hamilton, suffered multiple fractures to his right hand, arm and leg in the smash in Italy.

Renault have said their driver will be out for at least two months, with the season starting in Bahrain on March 13, but have described doctors' predictions that he could take a year to recover as overly cautious.


"Renault obviously felt that was the way to get the best out of Robert, to give him that amount of freedom. I am sure (team principal) Eric (Boullier) and his team know exactly what they are doing," said Booth.

Rallying is Kubica's passion, and he has competed in several over the years, but other Formula One drivers throw themselves into equally risky activities away from what is in itself a highly dangerous sport.