Robert Kubica has done the sensible thing and resigned with Renault through the end of the 2012 Formula 1 season.
I don’t see the news yet on the team’s website, but here is Kubica from a press release sent out shortly ago:
“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.â€
Team principal Eric Boullier added:
“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.â€
The team says in its release it hopes to become championship contenders during the next two years. Certainly, Renault is the positive surprise this season, and Kubica probably already has won the “best of the rest” drivers title with half a season let. Maybe Adrian Sutil could challenge Kubica, if the Polish driver stopped scoring points now.
Kubica’s signing takes the biggest name off the table for Silly Season, unless I’m missing someone other than Kimi Raikkonen. Kimi, I suppose, could be more likely to sign with Renault if the team really is showing promise of being a truly top team. I can’t say what that might do to team dynamics, however.
I think we’ve hashed through that this was the best move for Robert at this point (while pondering the rumors of his going to Ferrari). Anyone change their minds? Can anyone think of who would be Kubica’s best partner over those two seasons? Is it Vitaly Petrov?
