FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[tony1979]

I know it is still very early in the season but..

Renault are proving themselves to have a very good car/team combo so far this season - Petrov 3rd in Oz, Heidfeld 3rd In Sepang. Just wondering if Renault would actually give a drive back to Kubica if the pattern continues for the rest of the season?

Just to be clear, this isn't an anti Kubica posting as I really rate him as a driver and his accident is a terrible shame both for him personally and for F1 fans in general, just that Petrov and Heidfeld must have given Renault a really difficult choice to make if Kubica does recover enough to drive F1 again!

Any thoughts?

[cap-dude]

Fair point. But Petrov has a contract with Renault till the end of the season. So if Kubica comes back mid-season, he'd have to replace Heidfeld.

But Kubica will not be back this year I'd say. The extent of his injuries are just too bad. But yeah, if we're looking at next year when Petrov's contract runs out (I think) then who will drive for Renault is a good question. Especially since they are team that look like they could win races this year. Personally I could see Heidfeld taking a race victory this year, and possibly replacing Petrov, but we'll have to wait and see.

[Flux]

Kubica is one of the most promising drivers in the sport, it would be highly unlikely if Renault had him on there books that they would give him up for anything but a major offer from a big time ( Ferrari )

[tony1979]

Kubica is one of the most promising drivers in the sport, it would be highly unlikely if Renault had him on there books that they would give him up for anything but a major offer from a big time ( Ferrari )

I agree, but if (and it is a big if) Kubica was to come back this year then would Renault possibly risk constructor points for 2nd half of the season or would they keep him as a reserve driver for the rest of the year? I don't know the ins and outs of Heidfeld's contract but if he does get race victories this year then maybe Renault might find a way of keeping him as a first choice?

[LewEngBridewell]

At this stage, something would have to happen to the Red Bulls and the McLarens in order for Renault to get victories. In race trim, Ferrari look pretty handy too. Fernando Alonso may have made the podium today, had it not been for his run-in with Lewis Hamilton. In short, they'd have to be lucky. But who knows?

[bud]

I doubt Kube will be back this season but say he was ready then I think Heidfeld would have it in his contract that he would have to give the seat back, unless he was in with a shot for the title that is!


EDIT stupid iphone predicted texts didn't notice it changed Heidfelds spelling.

[Hammer278]

Nick Heidfeld's performance today could make Renault a lot more patient for Kubicas return.

[geetface9]

At this stage, something would have to happen to the Red Bulls and the McLarens in order for Renault to get victories. In race trim, Ferrari look pretty handy too. Fernando Alonso may have made the podium today, had it not been for his run-in with Lewis Hamilton. In short, they'd have to be lucky. But who knows?

Ya all you'd need is vettel to start taking out webber and button like last year and then it's just heidfeld and hamilton And with hamilton's result today a win wouldn't be far fetched for renault

[Hammer278]

The Vettel this year doesn't look anything like the erratic one last year though.

And if anyone would like to prove otherwise, they'd have to perform some serious black magic on Vettel on the Saturday...that's when he wins the race.

[f1ea]

The Vettel this year doesn't look anything like the erratic one last year though.

And if anyone would like to prove otherwise, they'd have to perform some serious black magic on Vettel on the Saturday...that's when he wins the race.

he looks inspired. Very strong. But i think he might start getting competition as early as next race. The mclaren are close in both q and more or less in the race; Ferrari need to improve q and pick it up from there.

[bschuler]

My take is I think Kubica will be out all season long. Then next season, Petrov will stay and Heidfeld will go either to reserve or very likely will go to Toro Rosso (they need drivers and have let it be known they are looking even now).

Petrov will likely stay due to the upcoming Russia F1 race and his strong financial backing. Kubica, as much as I dislike him, will return as he is a very strong driver. And Heidfeld probably will be offered a Toro Rosso gig which he will take over any reserve or test driver offer.

[CarBore]

Torro Rosso only takes red bull young drivers. If they decide to kick Buemi or Alg then its Richardo who gets put in

[Hammer278]

If Kubica returns, Petrov should leave and go to Toro Rosso, he obviously needs more training before driving a car capable of podiums. He made another stupid error yesterday while in the points, penalty (damage) fitting the crime or not.

[myownalias]

I believe that Petrov was signed until the end of the 2012 season so if Kubica does come back in 2011; he'll replace Heidfeld. The German will be doing is utmost to showcase his skills this season to obtain another driver, maybe Williams if Maldonado doesn't impress, today's performance will certainly do a lot to improve his stock!

[killem2]

While I would love to see Kubica back, I think it would be completely if they just plop Kubica in place of either driver especially if they are doing really well. As far as maldando showing his stuff, I say, he's better off somewhere else. Williams sucks. Plain-and-simple. There really is no excuse as to why this rich history team sucks THIS MUCH. I mean even Virgin and HRT are lasting longer.