Renault welcome Kubica to Enstone
Kubica joins Renault after three seasons with the BMW Sauber team
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By Tom Powell. |  |
Monday, 18, Jan 2010 04:54
By Adam Leveridge
Robert Kubica has begun preparations with the Renault formula one team ahead of the first winter test of 2010 in Valencia.
The Pole's future with Renault looked uncertain until just a few weeks ago, however, when the French manufacturer announced it had secured its future in the sport by selling off a controlling stake in its F1 team to investment firm Genii Capital, Kubica confirmed he would honour his contract and remain with the outfit.
The 25-year old tested for Renault before arriving in F1 with BMW Sauber in 2007.
However, while on his first visit back to the team's factory in Enstone as the new number one driver, Kubica said he is pleased with the progress Renault has made on their 2010 contender so far.
"We've only done the first stage in a mock-up chassis as the first R30 isn't ready yet," said Kubica.
"So we checked the dimensions and took measurements to make sure I was comfortable in the car. There are some small changes to be made, but no major issues.
"Later this month I'll go back to Enstone to try out the proper chassis and to have my seat made so that we are ready for the first test in Valencia.
"So far things are going really well and the factory has given me a warm welcome."
Although it's still early days in their relationship, Kubica claims he already has a good bond with his engineers and the some of the staff members at Enstone.
"I need to get to know everybody in the team, but at the moment things are going well," said Kubica.
"I already have a good relationship with my engineers and we talk on the phone every week as I want to know as much about the new car as possible.
"The only difficulty I have is being patient enough to wait for the first test as it has been a long winter out of the car. Valencia cannot come soon enough."
Kubica makes the switch from the BMW Sauber team, who are also under new ownership after the German car maker decided to pull out of the sport.
Renault recently announced the appointment of Eric Boullier as their new team principal, although the identity of their second driver remains a mystery.