The Renault team will make a decision as to whether or not Robert Kubica will be a feature of their 2012 driver line-up by mid-October, according to team principal Eric Boullier.
The Frenchman is keen to see Kubica back behind the wheel, but he admitted he couldn’t risk making a late decision which could harm the teams chances, as it has this season.
“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 told Autosport.
“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.”
The Polish driver will be back behind the wheel of either a simulator or demo car in early October, enabling Renault to gauge his ability following on from his February rally accident, though Boullier is under no illusions that he may not perform as he did prior to 2011.
“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.”
