LEAD: Kubica to miss start of 2012 season

Nov 23, 2011, 11:04 GMT

Berlin - Robert Kubica is not ready to return to Formula One driving for the start of the 2012 season in his ongoing recovery from a severe crash during a rally event in February.

The Polish driver Kubica said in a statement issued by his Renault team on Wednesday that he needs more time to regain full fitness and left the time of his comeback open.

'Even if I've been working very, very hard over the course of the last few weeks, I came to the conclusion that I am not yet certain to be ready for the 2012 season,' Kubica said.

'I have called the team and I have informed them of the situation. This was a difficult decision to make, but it is the most reasonable one. I also know that LRGP (Renault) need to prepare for next year, and further extending deadlines would not have been the right thing to do.'

Kubica, 26, missed the entire 2011 season (which ends on Sunday in Brazil) after suffering severe leg, arm and hand injuries and losing a significant amount of blood in a rally accident in Italy.

He underwent three operations and is still in rehabilitation which according to him is going well.

'My recovery is still very encouraging and my doctors keep being impressed. I just need more time, as I want to be 100 per cent ready before I commit to anything driving related,' Kubica said.

Kubica joined Renault in 2010 after spending the first four years of his F1 career at BMW-Sauber, highlighted by his lone GP victory 2008 in Canada.

Renault team principal Eric Boullier said the team fully supports Kubica's decision.

'Everybody in the team is, of course, very disappointed today. Robert not driving in Australia at the start of next season is not what we were all hoping for,' Boullier said.

'However, he has taken a very mature decision, acting in the best interests of Lotus Renault GP. As a team and as a family, we remain 100 per cent behind him and we'll help as much as we can. A programme composed of simulator testing, single-seater and F1 track time is awaiting him.'

Boullier also said the team will now talk to other drivers to finalize the 2012 lineup. Nick Heidfeld of Germany originally took Kubica's place but was replaced by Brazilian Bruno Senna midway through the season. The other driver of Russia's Vitaly Petrov.

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