Renault have admitted that Bruno Senna is only confirmed as Nick Heidfeld’s replacement for the Belgian and Italian grands prix, due to legal issues which are yet to be resolved.
The matter has gone to court between Heidfeld’s management and Renault, meaning the teams future line-up, post-Monza, remains uncertain.
They did however make it clear that their wish is to see the Brazilian finish the season.
“Lotus Renault GP can confirm that Bruno Senna has been nominated to race alongside Vitaly Petrov at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix and at the Italian Grand Prix two weeks later,” said a statement.
“The team’s present intention is to give Bruno the opportunity to race for the rest of the season. However, some legal issues have not been fully resolved as yet and, as a result, the team will make another announcement on this matter in due course.”
It ended with a single line on the German and his present involvement: “Nick Heidfeld remains contracted to the team,” it read.
Meanwhile, team principal Eric Boullier, is confident the 27-year-old will work well alongside teammate Vitaly Petrov.
“We are happy to provide Bruno with the chance to begin racing with Lotus Renault GP, starting at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend,” said Boullier. “He has proved himself to be an attentive member of the team since he joined almost seven months ago, and we are confident that he will demonstrate his ability alongside Vitaly.”
Senna said the announcement felt like ‘Christmas and his toughest exam rolled into one’.
“I am delighted that Lotus Renault GP has offered me the opportunity to become their race driver. I’m very motivated to get behind the wheel of the R31.
“I’ve gained a lot of experience thanks to the time spent with the team this season, and the opportunities I’ve had of driving in Jerez, Duxford and recently in Budapest have whet my appetite to become a successful driver for Lotus Renault GP,” he said.
“I am both excited and nervous – it feels like Christmas and my toughest exam have both arrived on the same day! I am really thrilled and motivated to be getting in the car to race in F1 again, especially with such a big team. Getting back to racing is something I’ve been craving for a while, and it’s not often you get an opportunity like this with a team of this stature. I feel I am fully prepared to rise to the challenge, and I would like to thank the team for believing in me. I will not disappoint.”
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