Robert Kubica's manager, Daniele Morelli, has said he will know by early November whether the Pole will be able to return to F1 in 2012.

As he recovers from the rallying accident which almost claimed his life, there have been conflicting reports about the Pole's future.

Earlier this month, amidst rumours of a growing financial crisis within his team, Lotus Renault GP boss Eric Boullier said he needed to know when Kubica might be fit enough to make a decision on his future, admitting that if the team had to wait much longer it might not be in a position to guarantee him a seat.

Morelli now claims that the Pole, who has undergone a series of complicated operations following the February crash in which he suffered major injuries to his right arm and leg, should soon know whether he will make a total recovery.

"Robert is exercising the right elbow by flexing and tensing it; soon he will start twisting it," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "The hand is progressing: the movements are there and that's the most important thing. Strength is lacking but it's just a matter of time.

"I often talk to Boullier," he added, "he'll have an answer, whether positive or negative, by early November, when we'll all have a clearer idea. I'm optimistic."