29/05/2011
NEWS STORY
Robert Kubica's manager Daniele Morelli disputes claims that the Pole will not race this year.
Last week it was claimed that while Kubica could make a return to the cockpit, it would most likely be for a Friday practice session and not a full Grand Prix weekend.
However, speaking to the BBC in Monaco, Morelli disputes this. "I wouldn't suggest betting Robert won't be back before the end of 2011."
"What (Renault boss Gerard) Lopez said is not corresponding with the information that we have," he added. "There is no basis to make such a statement."
"We speak daily with Robert," he continued, "we know what the doctors are saying, what (Renault team doctor) Dr Ceccarelli, who is coordinating the recovery programme, is saying. We have a lot of information and what Lopez is saying is not corresponding with the information that we have.
"To give a Friday session to Robert is the minimum that the team should give to support its driver. It looks to me kind of an insufficient proposal. When Robert is back, he will be back because he will be capable of doing what he did the day before the accident."
Morelli revealed that the current plan is for Kubica to begin a normal training programme by the end of July, this would include time in a simulator in order that he can re-learn the instinctive hand movements required for racing.
"The simulator will be one of the tools that will be used in order to give Robert again the feeling of speed," said Morelli. "He needs to go back to the normal movements that he used to do automatically. There is no concern that the recovery will not be complete or at least sufficient to drive an F1 car.
"Robert's strength, weight and general condition have been showing that we are in the right direction," he continued. If the trend keeps going like it is now the doctors think that Robert can start his training programme at the end of July to rebuild his normal conditions: running, strength, breathing. There is no concern that he will not be fit in order to be back."
Whether it's a Friday session or a full GP weekend, Pitpass and its readers want to see Robert back in the cockpit as soon as he's ready.