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Kubica not sure of staying at 'new-look' Renault
Source: Agencies |
December 18, 2009, Friday
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ROBERT Kubica is assessing his future at Renault after the manufacturer's decision to sell a significant stake in its Formula One team, the Polish driver's manager said on Wednesday.
Daniele Morelli told the BBC it was "not automatic" Kubica would stay although he hinted he was likely to do so and sought more information about the team's plans. "We would like to know about Genii Capital and who is doing what in the team, a partner can be a sleeping partner or a controlling partner."
Earlier, Renault said it planned to sell a significant stake to Genii, a Luxembourg-based specialist in brand management and motor sports, but would run the team jointly with its new partners.
"The cards have changed in respect of when we signed and it's important Renault give us full information," said Morelli.
Kubica raced for BMW-Sauber this year and signed with Renault after BMW decided to withdraw from Formula One.
"We are not against the new position in principle but it is important to know who will run the team and what kind of strategies they will use. It could be positive or negative," said the manager.
"We need some time, at least a few days, to evaluate the new situation so I am not in a position to say we will leave or stay."
Kubica's contract is likely to contain an escape clause covering a change of team ownership, given Renault's future was uncertain when he signed up.
He is highly-rated in the F1 paddock and is likely to be of interest to Mercedes, formerly champion Brawn, should retired seven-time champion Michael Schumacher decide against a comeback at the age of 41.
Mercedes has yet to name a replacement for world champion Jenson Button, who has joined McLaren, but reports say it is close to a deal with Schumacher.
Meanwhile, Kamui Kobayashi, 23, will race for Sauber next season, ensuring Japan still has at least one driver on the starting grid now that Toyota has followed Honda out of Formula One.
He impressed after competing as a stand-in for injured German Timo Glock at Toyota in the last two races of this year.
"In the final two grands prix of last season he was granted an unexpected chance to show his skills, and he made impressive use of it," said team founder Peter Sauber in a statement yesterday.
"Particularly in the Abu Dhabi race he demonstrated not only that he can drive fast and aggressively, but also his ability to successfully implement a strategy."
Daniele Morelli told the BBC it was "not automatic" Kubica would stay although he hinted he was likely to do so and sought more information about the team's plans. "We would like to know about Genii Capital and who is doing what in the team, a partner can be a sleeping partner or a controlling partner."
Earlier, Renault said it planned to sell a significant stake to Genii, a Luxembourg-based specialist in brand management and motor sports, but would run the team jointly with its new partners.
"The cards have changed in respect of when we signed and it's important Renault give us full information," said Morelli.
Kubica raced for BMW-Sauber this year and signed with Renault after BMW decided to withdraw from Formula One.
"We are not against the new position in principle but it is important to know who will run the team and what kind of strategies they will use. It could be positive or negative," said the manager.
"We need some time, at least a few days, to evaluate the new situation so I am not in a position to say we will leave or stay."
Kubica's contract is likely to contain an escape clause covering a change of team ownership, given Renault's future was uncertain when he signed up.
He is highly-rated in the F1 paddock and is likely to be of interest to Mercedes, formerly champion Brawn, should retired seven-time champion Michael Schumacher decide against a comeback at the age of 41.
Mercedes has yet to name a replacement for world champion Jenson Button, who has joined McLaren, but reports say it is close to a deal with Schumacher.
Meanwhile, Kamui Kobayashi, 23, will race for Sauber next season, ensuring Japan still has at least one driver on the starting grid now that Toyota has followed Honda out of Formula One.
He impressed after competing as a stand-in for injured German Timo Glock at Toyota in the last two races of this year.
"In the final two grands prix of last season he was granted an unexpected chance to show his skills, and he made impressive use of it," said team founder Peter Sauber in a statement yesterday.
"Particularly in the Abu Dhabi race he demonstrated not only that he can drive fast and aggressively, but also his ability to successfully implement a strategy."
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