The Renault team have stood by their statement claiming that Robert Kubica was not ready to start the 2012 Formula One season, despite comments on Thursday from the Polish driver's manager suggesting that this was not the case.
Kubica was quoted in a statement from Renault earlier this week as saying that he was not ready to commit to the start of the 2012 season.The Polish driver was injured in a pre-season rallying accident, and said that he had made the decision in order to allow the team to shore up a Plan B for their 2012 driver line-up.
However, Kubica's manager Daniele Morelli insisted in quotes carried by the Gazzetta della Sport that the team had "changed Robert's words", and suggested that Kubica had simply meant that he would not be ready for the first pre-season test of 2012.
"I don't understand why Renault has changed Robert's words," Morelli said, "It's not true he won't be ready for 2012: he stated he doesn't have certainty that he will be in shape for the first tests in February.
"We count on and hope to be ready, but in any case the delay will be a few months, 2013 was never mentioned. Renault will go its way with regards to the drivers, while we will look for alternative solutions."
He added: "He is a bit overweight, but his right leg is almost the same as the left one muscle-wise. His elbow's external brace will be removed on Tuesday, so from that point on he will be free from that scrap metal.
"The hand's sensitivity is OK, the only limit is strength: the forearm's muscles have been immobilized for a long time so there's a lot of work to do, but it's a matter of time, by the end of January the strength should be adequate."
However, after the quotes came to light, Renault team boss Eric Boullier said that he was confused with Morelli's comments, suggesting that the manager had been happy with their initial statement.
"We agreed, because obviously Robert couldn't start the season next year with us, or anybody actually, with Daniele Morelli to make a communication," Boullier told reporters in Brazil, "So at least we could inform people about what is going on.
"He approved the communication so everything was fine. He approved it, and now he is upset with I don't know what to be honest. I don't want to comment more because it's a waste of time."
He added: "We have been very clear, I think professional. We have waited for him for a long time and we are still waiting for him if he wants to be testing for us or ready to assess him or help him."
Should Kubica not return for the start of 2012, Renault have said that they have a test team on standby to help him gradually return to F1 action.
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