FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[brazuka]

Renault has set a mid-October deadline for keeping a seat open for Robert Kubica next year, with the team keen to know its 2012 driver line-up as soon as possible.

The Enstone-based outfit is eager to get Kubica back racing, but knows it cannot wait until the eve of the next campaign to sort out its plans - because then it will be too late to find the kind of high-quality replacement it will need.

Team principal Eric Boullier said that a decision would be taken next month about whether Kubica will definitely be back, or if the team needs to sort out finding a full-time replacement.

"My issue is I cannot miss the opportunity to have Robert back, but at the same time I have to protect the interests of this team," Boullier said, when asked by AUTOSPORT about the driver situation for next year. "I need to define the best driver line-up, or the best one I can afford.

"I will be flexible because I really like Robert and it is worth for him to be back, but by the middle of October or the end of October I need to have clear confirmation, even if we have some work to go through.

"I am not expecting him to be as fast as last year, because when you have been away from racing for one year it is tough to be back, and on top of this you have a bad accident like he had, then it is not easy. But I need to understand if he can do it."

Kubica is set to get back behind the wheel of either a road car or an F1 simulator in one month's time - which should provide the first indication on whether or not the Pole will be able to race again.

As well as sorting out simulator time for Kubica, Renault will also make available a 2009-spec car for testing if it is required over the winter.


http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/94469

[Hammer278]

Personally feel Renault is wasting their time. Everyone wants to see Kubica come back as good as ever but common sense should have prevailed for Renault where they should've faced the fact that Kubica is a write off since the crash happened. Instead they are harbouring the hope that he'll be back and this has got them in the position where the world sees them as 'obligated' to him. Tough situation for them now...two drivers who are rapidly improving, with their star driver coming back from heavy injury and distinct possibility of not being as good anymore.

[vlad]

They should focus more on Petrov and Senna!

[andrew]

Much that I'd like to see Kubica back in F1, I would not be surprised if his confidence was gone. The guy nearly died and it must be extremely difficult to come back from that and place yourslef back into a situation where there is the risk of another severe injury.

I think Renault are trying to dangle a carrot in front of him to give him something to work towards but at the same time, Renault needs to start looking at next years car and drivers. Very difficult situation indeed.

[f1ea]

At least Renault are keeping their hopes up. I think they scored a massive confidence boost with Senna's performances... may not have been astonishing, but he does look good.

It would be nice to at least sneak a peak into Robert's physical status... how does he look?? maybe if a pic slips by we would be more aware of his possibilities. But if he cannot walk, talk and move around freely, i dont think he will be ready for the deadline.

[LewEngBridewell]

I'd never think I'd ever say this. Although Robert Kubica is an amazing talent, Renault have a pretty darn good driver pairing at the moment.

It'd be interesting to see if Kubica is able to replicate former glories, or simply fade like Felipe Massa did after Budapest '09.