Apr.12 (GMM) Robert Kubica is recovering so well he is reportedly planning to attend the beatification of his late Polish countryman and former Pope John Paul II on May 1.

The Renault driver, recovering from horrific rally crash injuries in an Italian hospital, already has a fragment of the late pontiff's robe and a drop of his blood in a medallion to help aid his recovery.

300,000 pilgrims are expected to descend on Rome on May 1 for the beatification ceremony, the first step to sainthood for John Paul II.

The news agency SID said 26-year-old Kubica's recovery is going so well it has "surprised doctors", as he is already putting weight on his badly injured foot, clenching the fist on his injured right hand, and pushing to leave the hospital soon.

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