Polish Formula 1 star Robert Kubica, 26, has suffered fractures to his left arm and left leg after a high-speed rally crash in Italy, and is doubtful for the start of the Formula 1 season on March 13. He is reported to have crashed into a church wall and was air-lifted to a hospital near Genoa.

Kubica was 4.5km from the start of the Ronde di Andora rally when the crash occurred. His co-driver Jakub Gerber is reported to have escape injury.

Kubica is one of two drivers in the British-based Renault team. He had a very good season last year and finished in the drivers’ championship after a second-place finish in the Autralian GP in Melbourne and a third spot in Monaco and Belgium.

Kubica's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, there will be some doubts about his ability to continue in the sport. In 2003 the Pole was forced to have surgery to his left arm after crashing in a Formula 3 race. He also suffered a bad crash at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2007 and was forced to miss one race. He returned a year later to claim his first Formula 1 victory.

Kubica is a regular competitor in rallies and was driving a week after testing the new Renault in Valencia ahead of the opening Formula 1 race in Bahrain.