Official: Kubica will not drive in F1 in 2012
Robert Kubica informed the Lotus Renault team of his inability to race in Formula 1 during the 2012 season. The Polish driver's return to F1 will therefore not happen next season.
Despite an intense physical preparation program to be ready in time to participate in the 2012 Formula 1 season with Lotus Renault Grand Prix, Robert Kubica will not return to Formula 1 next season. The Pole has informed his team.
«Even though I’ve worked very, very hard these past few weeks, I ended up admitting that I’m not yet sure if I’m ready for the 2012 season. I called the team and informed them of the situation. It was a difficult decision to make, but it was the most reasonable one, » admitted Robert Kubica.
The Polish driver acknowledged that he could no longer block the contingency plans of Eric Boullier and LRGP: «I also know that LRGP needs to prepare for next year, and continuing to push back the deadlines would not have been the right thing to do.»
Even if Kubica will not be able to race in F1 in 2012, he has not yet written off his F1 driving career. He wants to fully recover from a physical standpoint before considering any return to auto racing.
«From a personal point of view, my recovery is still very encouraging and my doctors continue to be impressed. I just need a little more time, as I want to be 100% ready before committing to anything related to motorsports.»
«Finally, I have no regrets about not giving more updates and not appearing in the newspapers, and I want to thank my journalist friends for understanding that this was the best way for me to handle what has been the most difficult period of my life,» added the Pole.
The announcement from Kubica was not what the Lotus Renault team, particularly its director Eric Boullier, was hoping for, but the French manager understands his driver’s decision.
«Everyone on the team is, of course, very disappointed today. Not seeing Robert drive in Australia at the beginning of next season was not what we all hoped for. However, he made a very mature decision, acting in the best interests of Lotus Renault GP, » said Eric Boullier.
Even though Kubica is not expected to race in 2012 with LRGP, Boullier explained that the Pole would still be part of the team and family. The Pole will continue to prepare for a potential return with the British team based in Enstone.
As a team and as a family, we are 100% behind him and will support him as best as we can. A program consisting of simulator tests, single-seater, and time aboard an F1 already awaits him.
But until the return of the Pole, Boullier and LRGP will have to work on finding a replacement for the Pole – even though the candidates are already known: Romain Grosjean or perhaps Bruno Senna.
Until then, we will start talking with several drivers to finalize our driver duo for next year as soon as possible.
The French manager stated that the Pole could take all the time he needed to return and that there was no rush. Robert will take things step by step and will get back in his single-seater as soon as he feels it’s the right moment to do so.
