Kubica to miss start of 2012 F1 season

“Everybody in the team is,of course,very disappointed today,” Renault team principal Eric Boullier said in a statement. “Robert not driving in Australia at the start of next season is not what we were all hoping for. However,he has taken a very mature decision,acting in the best interests of Lotus Renault GP.”

The team said a 2012 preparation program of “simulator testing,single-seater and F1 track time” was being designed for Kubica for when he is ready to resume and that there were ongoing talks about extending his contract.

Renault said it would talk to “a few drivers” as it assesses its options for next season,with current drivers Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna and test driver Romain Grosjean considered to be the leading candidates for the race seats.

Kubica sustained life-threatening injuries in a crash in the Ronde di Andora rally in Italy on Feb. 6. He suffered massive injuries to the right side of his body,almost severing his forearm,and with fractures to his leg and shoulder.