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April 16, 2010

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Kubica plays down Ferrari speculation

Source: Agencies | April 16, 2010, Friday | Print Edition

RENAULT driver Robert Kubica has played down fresh speculation he will move to Ferrari, saying it is too early to think about his plans beyond this season.

The man whose place he would take, Felipe Massa, is out of contract at the end of this season and said yesterday he is in no hurry to sign a new deal, despite ongoing suggestions of a Ferrari move for Kubica.

The Polish driver had long been considered a Ferrari target, and his surprisingly strong start to 2010 - he is only nine points off the championship lead - prompted new reports of interest from the Italian team.

"There were rumors last year about Ferrari and rumors this year, so we will see," Kubica said ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix. "Its too early to discuss. I don't think for any seconds or any minutes about next year. For now I am happy at Renault, we are happy."

Ferrari laid out huge sums to sign Fernando Alonso ahead of this season, so Massa would be the driver threatened if the team sought to change its driver lineup.

However the Brazilian, who fought back from life-threatening injuries last year and leads the 2010 drivers' championship after three races, feels secure enough and is not keen to accelerate contract negotiations.

"There is really no rush at the moment from my point of view," Massa said. "Even before my accident last year some talks started to renew the contract and I can say the talks have started again."

Meanwhile, Alonso said that Ferrari was not overly concerned about the engine problems which culminated in his final-lap retirement from the Malaysian Grand Prix.

"At the moment we are not too worried," the Spaniard said. "Obviously, we don't want to lose any engines or have problems with the gearbox or anything like that. We've been very strong all winter so we cannot be happy with the problems we've had in the first races.

"(But) in terms of race engines for Saturday and Sunday we remain with the original plan. I have no doubt Ferrari will improve a lot during the season and we have the potential to improve the car very quickly," he added.


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