Robert Kubica has ended speculation about his future by signing a contract extension that is set to keep him with Renault until the end of 2012. The 25-year-old has been in fine form this season and is currently lying sixth in the championship standings after securing two podium finishes. His strong start to the campaign had led to interest from Ferrari. But the Polish driver said: "It was a straightforward decision to continue with a team where I feel at home." Kubica, one of the most highly-rated drivers in Formula 1, has only had one finish outside the top-10 all year when he came 11th in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. 606: DEBATE He has driven the wheels off the Renault all year and helped propel the team much closer to the front than many people expected after a disastrous 2009 - driver of the year so far for me

homercles He finished second in Australia and third in Monaco while he finished fifth last time out in Valencia. His impressive performances led to links with a move to Ferrari but hopes of a switch came to end when Brazilian Felipe Massa signed a new two-year deal in June. "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," he added. "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." Renault team principal Eric Boullier said he was relieved to end the speculation over Kubica's future. "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," stated Boullier. Kubica replaced Fernando Alonso at Renault "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." Kubica is in his first season with Renault after three full campaigns with the BMW Sauber team, signing a one-year deal in the close season. However, his future with the team was placed in immediate doubt following the sale to new owners in December last year. He decided to stay following talks with private investment group Genii Capital, which owns 75% of the team. With BMW Sauber, Kubica finished fourth in the 2008 drivers' championship - securing victory in the Canadian GP. Last year he had an uncompetitive car and ended up 14th in the standings with 17 points.



Bookmark with: Delicious

Digg

reddit

Facebook

StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version