Kubica’s manager contradicts Lotus Renault GP

After the announcement by Lotus Renault Grand Prix of Robert Kubica’s unavailability for the start of the 2012 season, one could legitimately think that a page was finally being turned after weeks or even months of dithering about the possible return of the Polish driver, who was seriously injured during the Rallye Ronde di Andorra at the beginning of the year: « Even though I have worked very, very hard over the past few weeks, I have come to the conclusion that I am not sure I am fully ready for the 2012 season. So, I called the team to inform them. This decision was difficult to make, but it is the most reasonable one » Kubica stated in the statement released by the British team.

However, in an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport, Daniele Morelli, the manager of the Pole, assures that his driver has not yet definitively given up hope of returning to action at the start of next season: « I don’t understand why Renault changed Robert’s statements. It’s not true that he won’t be ready for 2012: he said he wasn’t sure if he would be in condition for the first tests in February. We plan and hope to be ready, but, in any case, the delay will be a few months, 2013 was never mentioned. Renault will do what it wants regarding its drivers, and we will seek other alternatives.

Indeed, contrary to Lotus Renault GP, which stated in its press release that Robert will remain a member of the LRGP family in 2012 and is already, through his management, in negotiations for the renewal of his contract for the following season, Morelli assures that his driver does not have a contract binding him to the British team for the next season: His contract ends at the end of December, so from January 1st, we will be free to go wherever we wish.

However, the Italian manager remains convinced that upon his return, Kubica will be as strong as he was before: « If Robert returns, it’s because he will be as competitive as before and attractive to top teams. He has gained a bit of weight, but his right leg is almost in as good a condition as the left. His elbow brace will be removed on Tuesday […]. The sensitivity in his hand is OK; the only limitation concerns his strength: the forearm remained immobilized for a long time, so there is a lot of work to do, but it’s only a matter of time. By January, he should have regained sufficient strength. »

The Pole will then gradually get back behind the wheel but will not go karting because the vibrations are too extreme and due to the lack of power steering, explains Morelli, who also believes that only at that moment will we see how he performs after nearly a year of inactivity.

The Italian is also reassuring about Robert Kubica’s motivation: He is excited: September and October were difficult times as the rotation of his forearm was limited and the progress was not very significant, but in recent weeks, there has been a noticeable acceleration.

We will therefore have to wait a bit longer to find out if Robert Kubica will be fit for service and when, while Daniele Morelli’s statements, rather threatening about the Pole’s future with LRGP, suggest a winter far from being as peaceful as the Enstone team might have hoped. It remains to be seen if Robert Kubica and his manager actually have alternatives other than Lotus Renault GP for 2012, or beyond.