Robert Kubica rally crash: Renault defend driver's choice to take part in rally racing
Renault team principal Eric Boullier has defended the decision to allow Robert Kubica to contest in the rally which saw him airlifted to hospital saying the sport is "vital to his state of mind".
Wrecked: Robert Kubica was trapped in his car for over an hour after crashing in Italy Photo: AFP
By Telegraph staff and agencies 1:41PM GMT 07 Feb 2011
With just under five weeks to go before the new Formula One season gets under way Renault find themselves without their No 1 driver and two reserves lacking in the calibre they will no doubt wish to have on the track.
Kubica's doctors have warned he will need at least 12 months to fully recover from his injuries, which include multiple fractures to his right leg and arm, and is likely to miss the entire 2011 campaign.
But Boullier remains confident his driver will return to action sooner and has defended the team's decision to allow the 26-year-old to participate in rally racing.
"Robert is a true racer, his life is motor racing," Boullier told the BBC. "It was agreed between us that he keep doing the rallies because it was part of his balance in his life.
"We knew the risks of doing the rally; he knew it as well. It was agreed together.
"We let him do it because rallying is in his heart. Rally driving is vital for Robert and his state of mind – we know the risks and so does he. We don't want a robot or corporate driver."
Boullier added that his driver's progress had been encouraging, and refused to rule Kubica out of the whole season despite the doctors' predictions.
"This morning it was really fine – they needed 24 hours to make sure he recovered completely and it looks like this morning they are all happy," Boullier said.
"He is definitely out for a couple of months. The recovery will be quicker than one year, but it is a bit early to know exactly how long he will need."
With the first race scheduled to take place in Bahrain on March 13, Renault have a choice to make as to whether they turn to one of their reserve drivers to fill the void.
Brazilian Bruno Senna, who raced for Hispania last season, and Frenchman Romain Grosjean, who contested seven grands prix for Renault in 2009, are the men in the frame, although the team may yet seek a more experienced head, with both Nick Heidfeld and Vitantonio Liuzzi – both of whom are without a drive for the 2011 season – likely candidates.
"We are already starting to think and work on a contingency plan," Boullier added. "We don't know yet, we are actually waiting to know how long it will take because [should it be] a short-term replacement we will take one of our reserve drivers.
"If he has to be longer we may have to consider different options."
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