Robert Kubica has the right to race in Rally if he wants to: Eric Boullier
Renault’s Robert Kubica recently had a terrible accident during a rally race this weekend. The driver nearly lost his right hand as a result of this accident, however, according to his doctors, they might be able to operate his hand in what will be a very
risky and lengthy operation. He might not be able to participate in Formula 1 ever again and as for the 2011 Formula 1 season, the team has announced that there is no chance that Robert can recover this year before the season ends.
However, the media has started firing questions at the team over their decision of letting the driver participate in the rally. Renault’s team boss Eric Boullier, in reply to all those questions, clarified that Robert had the right to do whatever he wanted
and since he liked rallying, the team did not want to be an obstruction for him and his interests in any way.
“This is nothing to do with business. Robert is allowed to do it because it is close to his heart. For him, rallying is vital, it is his balance. From that side, it's a mutual agreement,” Boullier said.
The team is quite obviously very disappointed and so are the fans as Lotus Renault GP was expected to be very strong in 2011. And since Robert scored the fastest time at the final day of the first pre-season test session in Valencia, the fans were now expecting
even more from the young Pole.
“We knew the risks as well. We don't want a robot or corporate driver,” Eric added.
Most of the teams have forbidden their respective drivers from rallying according to their official contracts and according to BBC’s official commentator Martin Brundle, Kubica’s decision of rallying alongside Formula 1’s pre season test session was just
“crazy”.
However, the main question at the moment is what will Renault do now? Will they use one of their reserve drivers for the 2011 Formula 1 season; Romain Grosjean or Bruno Senna? Or will the team hire a new driver for the 2011 season?
Since Nico Hulkenberg is not driving for any team as a “full season driver”, and is currently with Force India as their reserve driver, Renault might consider signing him or some other experienced driver for the 2011 season rather than using one of their
reserve drivers for the whole 2011 Formula 1 season.
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