Robert Kubica will not be at the start of the 2012 season

In reality, everyone expected it a bit, also given the - understandable - aura of mystery that surrounded his recovery after the terrible rallying accident at the beginning of the year. Today the official announcement arrived: Robert Kubica will not be at the start of the 2012 F1 season. The Lotus Renault team announced this in a statement this morning. Robert Kubica - we read on the team's website - informed the Lotus Renault team today that, despite having begun an intense training programme, it is still too early for him to ensure his commitment to driving an F1 in 2012. His progress they remain excellent - he can walk and move his hand and elbow without problems - but he feels he needs more time to get completely back into shape.

Lotus Renault, on the other hand - continues the statement - remains committed to helping Robert as much as possible in his recovery process. A test car is ready and waiting for him, and a crew of technicians and mechanics is on standby ready to work with him. Obviously - it is specified - Robert will remain a member of the Lotus Renault family also in 2012 and is already ready to negotiate, through his managers, to renew the contract even beyond 2012, the year in which - we remind you - his agreement expires with the team. Although saddened by this news, the Lotus Renault team will begin to evaluate the options to choose the most valid candidate to fill Robert's place from the first 2012 winter tests. Once again - concludes the press release - all team members wish Kubica a quick and complete recovery and they shout to him: “Szybkiego powrotu do zdrowia” – “Come back soon, our friend”. Below are the official declarations.

Robert Kubica: “Although I have worked really hard over the last few weeks I have come to the conclusion that I am not ready for the start of the 2012 season. I called the team and informed them of the situation. It was a difficult decision to make, but it was certainly also the most reasonable one. I know that Lotus Renault has to prepare for next year, and further postponing decisions and communications regarding my situation would not have been the best thing to do. On a personal level, my recovery is definitely encouraging and the doctors are very impressed. I simply need more time, because when I come back I really want to be 100% ready. I regret not being able to provide information earlier and not appearing in the newspapers and I thank my friends and my media for understanding that this was the best way for me to face the most difficult period of my life.”

Eric Boullier, Managing Director and Team Principal: “Everyone within the team is very, very sorry. We were certainly hoping that Robert would be able to drive for us in Australia. In any case, he made a mature decision, in the best interests of the team. As a team and as a family, we will support him 100% and help him as much as we can. A program - simulator, real car and track tests - is always there waiting for him when he wants and when he is ready. In the meantime we will start talking to other riders to complete the line-up for next year as soon as possible. Robert will go forward step by step and get back in the car when he feels the time is right to do so. I stand as spokesperson for all 520 team members to wish him a short and complete recovery."

Manuel Codignoni