Kubica set for new wrist operation

The likelihood of an early 2012 return to the Lotus (currently Renault) team for Robert Kubica appears to have receded even further.

The Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Thursday that the Polish driver, who has already undergone five operations since his February rally crash, is scheduled to have more surgery in the coming days.

The next operation will be on his right wrist and will surely intensify speculation that team boss Eric Boullier has already decided to pair Vitaly Petrov with the new GP2 champion Romain Grosjean next season.

Robert Kubica, Lotus Renault GP

Photo by: xpb.cc

Kubica's hand surgeon Igor Rossello suggested that the new surgery is relatively minor.

"The mobility of Kubica's right hand is satisfactory," he said. "Robert has told me that he has already driven a car. This a miracle of his will."

But the report said Kubica is still months from the end of his rehabilitation process.

British tabloid The Sun quoted Renault/Lotus boss Boullier as saying: "We have to assess options and are still waiting for Robert to come back to us to say he can test.

"Until we see him and have the confirmation we cannot say anything. And unfortunately we need to keep the option of not having him back," he added.