Renault boss Eric Boullier has insisted that injured driver Robert Kubica still has a chance to drive for the team at some point in 2012, despite the squad signing up former champion Kimi Raikkonen on a two-year deal.
Kubica admitted earlier this month that he would not be fit in time for the start of 2012, as he recovers from injuries sustained in a pre-season rallying accident.
The team initially seemed to be searching for a stand-in driver while Kubica recovered full fitness, but the signing of Raikkonen for 2012 and 2013 has changed the situation.
In theory, Renault now have Raikkonen and Vitaly Petrov contracted for the whole of the 2012 season, but Boullier says that if Kubica recovers his fitness, he could drive for the team next year.
"All the scenarios are possible," Boullier told the Autosport website on Tuesday, "I need to sit down with Robert and his manager to understand what is the timescale for him to come back."
He added that: "We have confirmed Kimi and we will confirm the second seat when we are ready to confirm it."
His comments seem to suggest that Petrov's 2012 drive is not assured, despite the Russian having a contract for the year.
Renault are reportedly considering whether to stick with Petrov, or install either Romain Grosjean or Bruno Senna in the second seat temporarily until Kubica is fully fit.
The possibility of Kubica driving for the team in 2012 is also likely to rely on the Polish driver committing his future to the team, having been linked with a switch to Ferrari for 2013.
Renault have suggested that they are happy to support Kubica through a testing programme to help him get up to speed, but are reluctant to do so if he then switches to another team.
Team Lotus driver Heikki Kovalainen has also been linked with a switch to Renault's second seat for 2012, but the Finn has insisted that he is staying with his current team.
"I am already signed for next year and to be honest it would need to be a really top seat before I would even mention it to Tony," he told the Autosport website.
Rubens Barrichello is another name in the frame at Renault, though Boullier has previously stated that the Brazilian is "not at the top of the list" of the team's targets.
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