Kubica sidelined for Indy, BMW's Vettel to race

Robert Kubica will sit out the US grand prix this weekend despite passing the FIA's cognitive and physical examination on Thursday. The Pole, who was hospitalised with a sprained ankle, minor bruising and mild concussion after his huge accident in Montreal four days ago, told reporters on Thursday that he is feeling no ill-effects and wants to race at Indianapolis.

But after the exam led by the FIA's medical delegate Gary Hartstein inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's medical centre in the afternoon, it was decided that 22-year-old Kubica should not return to the wheel of his BMW-Sauber for risk that a second accident so soon after a concussion could cause serious injury. He will be examined again at Magny Cours in two weeks but, given that he passed both the cognitive and physical elements of the FIA tests here, it is almost certain that Kubica will resume his seat for the French grand prix.

His place this weekend, meanwhile, will be taken by BMW test driver Sebastian Vettel, who will make his grand prix debut on Sunday at the age of 19. It means that BMW-Sauber's US GP lineup will be all-German, with Vettel racing alongside team regular Nick Heidfeld.

Interestingly, Ralf Schumacher told reporters on Thursday that Kubica should be allowed to race, despite being twice hospitalised in crashes against the famed Indianapolis banking in past years. "I heard that (Kubica's) crash looked worse than it was, because the angle he hit meant that the forces were not so large," the Toyota driver said.

"So, if he wants to race, why not?"

We got to meet Sebastian Vettel at the Australian Grand Prix and he seemed like a fairly well-adjusted teenager. It'll be interesting to see how he does behind the wheel of a F1 car. Check out our interview here.

Watch Kubica's stomach-churning crash here.