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[Hexagram]

Robert Kubica's manager has suggested the Pole is now set to remain with the Renault team following some doubts about his future at the French squad.

Kubica and his management had asked for clarification on the situation of the team following the news that Renault had sold a stake of the outfit to Luxembourg company Genii Capital.

"We need some time - at least a few days - to evaluate the new situation so I am not in a position to say we will leave or stay," said Kubica's manager Daniele Morelli at the time of the deal.

Kubica signed a deal with Renault at the end of the last year after racing for the BMW Sauber team since 2007.

Morelli said on Monday things are now progressing well and suggested Kubica will drive for the team in 2010 after all.

"We are going in the right direction," Morelli told BBC Sport. "There were no doubts, really, but it was very important we understood who were in the key roles in the team and of course also the budget - it is fundamental you have that for the updates to the car."

Morelli also denied that Kubica was seeking more money after the deal with Genii was announced.

"It is totally untrue that we were asking for more money," said Morelli. "It is not in our interests to take advantage. We want the money for the team.

"Robert wants a performing car. It's useless if the driver gets more money if you have a weak car and lose [performance] bonuses. It's better to score points and make podiums than to earn more money."

[Denthúl]

Excellent. Now, let's see if Nick Heidfeld is signed up to partner him.

[Hexagram]

Ya its great news. Nick is a good option alright, I would have preferred Timo though.

[scotty]

Perhaps he has seen enough to back up this claim (which appears quite outlandish from the surface) by Renault:

Renault aims to be back on top by 2011

By Edd Straw and Simon Strang Friday, January 1st 2010, 15:31 GMT

Renault aims to be back fighting for championship titles again by 2011 according to the team's acting principal Bob Bell.

The future of Renault's Formula 1 team was secured in mid-December when a deal to sell a large stake in the team to businessman Gerard Lopez's Genii Capital was agreed, ending weeks of uncertainty over the French manufacturer's continuation in the sport.

Now, after a turbulent 12 months for the outfit - which included an uncompetitive and winless 2009 season and the race-fixing scandal that forced team principal Flavio Briatore and technical chief Pat Symonds to resign – Bell says Renault can now focus on building a multi-year strategy to return it to the front of the grid.

"The real target for us is to build for 2011 and a championship campaign," Bob Bell told AUTOSPORT before Christmas. "But we have realistic expectations for 2010.

"We are not going to produce a car that catapults us to the front because F1 is very competitive. But our 2010 expectations are to run towards the front and challenge for the top three."

Bell revealed that work on Renault's 2010 contender never halted while the team's future hung in the balance, but added that the security that the Genii deal brings to the project has boosted the staff working in the factory.

"This is nothing but positive for the team," he said. "It has ended all of the concerns that the staff had and gives a secure base for the future.

"There is a multi-year commitment and a very sensible strategy. It's a win-win situation for both Renault and its partners, and is a big step forward."

Challenging for the top 3 is a very big ask for them next season, i know they shifted focus quite early, but so did others. That said, if they get Heidfeld on board too, they have the driver pairing to move forward and be successful, i don't think anyone can deny that!

Has this investment company offered any budget improvements?

[Hexagram]

I would imagine the budget for next year being decent enough with the new investment. Renault really ducked last years car up so I hope they have learned from their mistakes.

[headless]

Hopefully Kubica will spark a rennaisence!

[vaptin]

Good stuff, would also like Heidfeld then in the second seat.

[CanadianF1Fan]

Good stuff, would also like Heidfeld then in the second seat.

Yup, thats what I hope for also and I think thats what we're going to end up seeing. Thank god they aren't going to resign that awful Romain Grosjean.