Decision time for Kubica

Over the next six weeks Robert Kubica has been asked to give his Renault team an indication over whether he will be fit to return for the 2012 Formula One World Championship.

The 26-year-old crashed a Skoda Fabia during the opening stage of the Ronde di Andora rally in Italy back in February.

His car crashed into a barrier which penetrated his car leaving him with a partially severed right hand and fractures to his right leg and arm.

In the days following his accident, the Pole underwent three operations and was put in an induced coma to help aid his recovery, it had been hoped that he wouldn’t require any further surgery, but in early March, Kubica had a fourth operation to help the mobility of his elbow.

After a month of rehabilitation the Renault driver underwent another large operation which was to remove adhesions affecting the functionality of his right forearm and elbow muscles and in August he underwent further elbow surgery in a bid to give him full mobility of his right elbow.

Surgeons were reportedly very happy immediately following the procedure and after a few days rest in hospital, Kubica resumed his rehabilitation and training programme.

'Robert is exercising the right elbow by flexing and tensing it; soon he will start twisting it, The hand is progressing: the movements are there and that's the most important thing. Strength is lacking but it's just a matter of time.' Kubica's manager Daniele Morelli told Gazzetta dello Sport as quoted by Autosport Magazine.

Renault boss Eric Boullier has given a November deadline to Kubica over a decision regarding his immediate future for next season, as the team will need enough time to find a replacement driver if necessary.

The obvious outcome that both parties want his a healthy Kubica back behind the wheel in 2012, but both Morelli and Boullier understand that a decision is necessary.

Morelli added: 'I often talk to Boullier: he'll have an answer - whether positive or negative - by early November, when we'll all have a clearer idea. I'm optimistic.'

Boullier added: 'We want him to return, we want him with us. There are no certainties over his state, however: we need to have more or less certain indications on him by early November, because the interests of the team are also at stake.'