JULY 7, 2010

Robert Kubica to remain with Renault

The Renault F1 team announced that it has signed a contract extension with Robert Kubica through the 2012 season.

Robert Kubica, Turkish GP 2010
© The Cahier Archive

The Renault F1 team announced that it has signed a contract extension with Robert Kubica through the 2012 season.

It is understood that Kubica has a deal to drive for 2011, and can opt-out for 2012 if Renault is not within the top 3 in the standings by mid-season next year. The highly regarded Pole was tipped to be going to Ferrari next year, but with Felipe Massa re-signing for Ferrari, and Mark Webber re-signing for Red Bull, all the top seats have been filled for 2011.

Kubica said, "It was a straightforward decision for me to continue with a team where I feel at home. What's important for me is to be in the right atmosphere, with a good group of people, where everybody is pulling in the same direction. This is what we have tried to build from the beginning of my time with Renault. I think we have already achieved a lot together, and I believe that with plenty of effort, time and the right approach, we can move even further forward. That is certainly our target, so we will keep working hard and pushing on every front, not just for the rest of this season but also for next year when there are more big rule changes on the way. I am really looking forward to the challenge."

Renault's team principal, Eric Boullier, said, "We are delighted that Robert will remain with us for the next two seasons and I would like to thank him for the faith he has shown in this team. There have been many rumours surrounding his future in recent weeks, which were a tribute to how well he has driven this year, and we are very happy to have agreed a multi-year deal. Our clear goal is to become title contenders over the next two years. To do so, we need a driver of Robert's calibre: somebody who is fast, totally committed and doesn't make mistakes. His performances during the first half of the 2010 season were flawless, and we hope to achieve great things together in the future."