A decision on whether or not Robert Kubica will make his competitive return to Formula 1 with the Renault team next season looks likely before the end of November.
The Polish driver, who was seriously injured in a rally accident in February of this year, underwent further routine surgery this week to remove a pin from his wrist.
Despite a successful operation, it is still too early to make a final decision on his expected return, according to his manager, Daniele Morelli.
“Robert feels good, everything is in order,” he told the PAP news agency, before adding: “It is too early to talk about it [his future].
“There will be a statement from us and the Renault team, which will be in reference to plans for the future, but for now it is too early.
“We have to wait a few weeks and then we will evaluate before a final decision,” added Morelli.
“It’s [his recovery] a natural process that has its stages. You can not say that Robert wakes up in the morning and decides: ‘Great, I can drive’. There are various steps that he needs to go through and only then can we begin to forecast.”
The F1 Times understands that the statement will come before the end of November, with sources suggesting the 26-year-old will only compete during Friday practice sessions, before further evaluation later in the season.
It’s believed Renault plan to run Vitaly Petrov alongside Romain Grosjean, who’s contract may include a clause forcing him to step aside in the middle of 2012 if Kubica is ready to compete on the Sunday.
