07/02/2011
NEWS STORY
Lotus Renault GP team boss Eric Boullier has confirmed that the British outfit is working on a contingency plan for the start of the 2011 season as it awaits news of Robert Kubica's progress.
While the surgeons express their satisfaction with the Pole's condition, following seven hours of surgery yesterday, Boullier knows that the season gets underway in just over four weeks and that while the teams heart is with Robert as he recovers, the business of F1 continues.
"We are already starting to think and work on a contingency plan," the Frenchman told the BBC when asked who might replace Kubica as he recovers from his injuries. "We don't know yet, we are actually waiting to know how long it will take because a short-term replacement we will take one of our reserve drivers; if he has to be longer we may have to consider different options."
The British team has Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean (right), as its reserves, both of whom could be called up in the short-term. However, if Kubica's injuries mean he is out for longer - with some sources claiming the Pole will need to sit out the entire season - the team may need to look elsewhere.
Asked for an update on his driver's condition, Boullier said: "This morning it was really fine, they needed 24 hours to make sure he recovered completely and it looks like this morning they are all happy.
"He is definitely out for a couple of months," he added. "The recovery will be quicker than one year but it is a bit early to know exactly how long he will need."