Robert Kubica's co-driver Jakub Gerber has spoken of the horror crash in which the Formula 1 star was seriously injured on Sunday.
Renault man Kubica needed a seven-hour operation to save his hand after crashing into a wall at high speed in the Ronde di Andora Rally near Genoa in Italy.
The Pole has been backed to make a full recovery, though is expected to be out of F1 for up to a year after being airlifted to hospital in the wake of the smash.
Gerber says he did not realise that the car was about to crash until it was too late, the co-driver adding that he did not realise the Skoda Fabia they were racing in had gone into a skid just ahead of the vicious impact with the church wall.
"We were on the first four kilometres of the first special stage,” Gerber – who emerged from the wreckage unscathed, was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I was looking at the notes and didn't notice that the car was skidding.
"Only when we crashed I saw Robert holding his arm, and after a few moments he lost consciousness.
"Robert isn't just a great driver, he is a friend. I just hope he can recover soon."
Kubica remains in hospital in Pietra Ligure.