Robert Kubica could be set for another appearance in the Renault R.S.17 after previously testing the car at F1’s in-season test in Hungary, prior to the summer break.
Robert Kubica set for FP1 outing at Malaysia
Although the Pole put in an impressive performance at the test, Renault’s Managing Director, Cyril Abiteboul, said that the test alone was not enough to be sure that the driver is actually ready to return to F1 full-time after being absent for six years.
“We don’t have all the answers that we potentially wanted to get from that test,” said Abiteboul. “In a perfect world we would want to do more of this type of test to see if he can race again at the level that he and we could have wanted. It may or may not be possible.”
Speed Week has reported that Kubica may have another chance to prove himself in the R.S.17 with eight races remaining this season, taking part in FP1 at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
For now however, Abiteboul is keeping his cards close to his chest and will not give up anything that he knows about the situation: “I don’t want to create speculation and I don’t want to put on the team that we have some obligation to go further because there is an interest from the public to see Robert back,” he said. “We would all like Robert to be back, but it has to make sense.”
Kubica previously drove for Renault in 2010 and was set to compete for the Enstone-outfit for the 2011 season. A near fatal rally accident prevented him from racing however, and he has since remained off the grid. A return to Formula 1 looked unlikely until this year, and when Kubica tested a 2012 Lotus in Valencia, rumours have consistently been swirling around, linking him to a Renault seat for next season.
