Renault’s Eric Boullier names Romain Grosjean as probable replacement for Robert Kubica – Formula 1
Renault principal Eric Boullier has confirmed that young Romain Grosjean is the front line runner to replace the injured Robert Kubica if he is unable to recuperate in time to be back for the next season.
Grosjean has been quite impressive this season winning the GP2 championship and then had a good showing at the FP1 appearance in Abu Dhabi, where he was quicker than Vitaly Petrov in the other Renault.
It has been some time now the talks with Kubica’s management, but it is seemingly getting unlikely for him to be available for the 2012 season. The situation has paved the way for Grosjean to join the Renault team once more as he drove for them back in 2009.
“He is part of the plan,” Boullier said. “We would like to have him in the car if Robert cannot come back. It is true that in 2009 he was not ready to be in Formula One and he clearly burnt himself.”
“Even so his performance was quite good - he was only three-tenths off the pace of Fernando even though the car was not very good at that time, which makes it even more difficult for a young driver to step into F1. When he runs on Fridays he shows that he
can deliver and gives good feedback,” he added.
Boullier was asked whether he felt Grosjean would be in line for the seat if Kubica does not come back and he answered in affirmative.
Boullier also mentioned how the team is still in a rebuilding phase and the focus is put on building a fast car and then sign up a big name driver to win races, although he did say that a big name can help in making a winning car. He admitted to have been
in talks with Kimi Raikkonen’s representatives but did not mention him as a candidate to take Kubica’s seat.
It will be interesting to see what decision Renault take, though it is about time they decide on this as 2012 is approaching fast, and not knowing which driver will be driving for the team is not a positive sign.
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