Kubica deadline set for end of October

Lotus Renault have left room for Robert Kubica to return to Formula One racing in 2012. At this time though, it is uncertain whether the Pole will be fully recovered in time, but Eric Boullier, the team's principal, said he wants a clear confirmation by the end of October.

The Enstone based team still has a race seat available for Robert Kubica in 2012, where he is set to race alongside Vitaly Petrov. The recovering Pole though does not have a race contract for 2012 in place.

The manager of the Polish driver, Daniele Morelli said that Renault at Monza "gave assurances" regarding an available race seat for Kubica in 2012. Kubica himself meanwhile can already try to restart testing in a simulator to evaluate how his arm and hand have recovered.

Boullier though has at the same time made it clear that his foremost interest is the team, and therefore he needs to know as soon as possible whether Robert will be able to return to racing in time for 2012:

"I will be flexible because I really like Robert and it will be good for him to return, but in the middle or end of October I need a clear confirmation. My problem is that I can not miss the chance to regain Robert, but at the same time I need to defend the interests of my team", said team boss to the Brazilian newspaper Globo Esporte French. "I need to have a certain line of riders, the best that I have, or the best we can afford," said Boullier.

Kubicas recovery meanwhile is continuing apace. The medical reports say that he is working six hours a day for rehabilitation after his last operation, the final one to his elbow.

Boullier continued: "I do not expect Kubica be as fast as last year, because I know that when you are off track for a year it is hard to come back. Also, when you suffer a serious accident, as he has suffered, it is not easy psychologically. But I need to figure out if he can return to the levels of the past".