Robert Kubica commits long term to Renault
Robert Kubica has committed his future to Renault after signing a contract that will keep him at the French Formula One team until 2012.
Kubica teamed up with Renault this season after his previous team BMW Sauber decided to pull out of Formula One.
The sport’s first Polish driver had been linked heavily with a move to Ferrari, while rumours that he was going to replace Michael Schumacher at Mercedes-Benz GP were also circulating. Felipe Massa extending his contract at Ferrari ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix in June almost confirmed that Kubica would stay.
“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,” said Kubica.
The 25-year-old made his debut in Formula One in 2007 at the Italian Grand Prix, and has one victory to his name.
"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,” he said.
Renault team principal Eric Boullier believes Kubica will help the team make massive strides in the future.
“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,” said Boullier.
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