Renault boss Eric Boullier has defended the decision to allow Robert Kubica to carry on rallying, in the aftermath of the serious crash in the Ronde di Andora event on Sunday.

"This is nothing to do with business," Boullier said. "Robert is allowed to do it because it is close to his heart. For him, rallying is vital, it is his balance. From that side, it's a mutual agreement.

"We knew the risks as well. We don't want a robot or corporate driver."

Dangerous activities like rally driving are usually forbidden in F1 driver contracts, and commentator and ex-racer Martin Brundle admitted on Twitter that he thought Kubica rallying between "key" F1 tests was "crazy".

Only last month Renault had to play down rumours of a rift after issues sidelined Kubica from the famous Monte Carlo rally.