Kubica speculation increases after 115-lap test

Editor

Robert Kubica completed 115 laps in a private test for Renault on Tuesday, sparking more discussion about whether he is ready to return to Formula 1.

The Pole suffered career-changing injuries after a rally accident in 2011 left him with a partially severed arm but, after recent single-seater runs in GP3 and Formula 3, Kubica stepped up his progression by taking the 2012 Lotus E20 – complete with Renault livery – out for a spin in Spain.

The former BMW and Lotus driver was widely regarded as a World Champion in the making until a major crash at the Ronde di Andora rally cut short his Formula 1 career in 2011, but there are now loud calls for him to be Jolyon Palmer's replacement as the Brit continues to struggle to prove his worth on the grid.

Renault have remained pretty tight-lipped on Kubica's return, but did divulge some information via their Twitter feed.

There have also been reports that the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix winner also posted quicker times than Renault's current third driver Sergey Sorotkin at the same track.

It remains to be seen whether this private test will eventually lead to the full Formula 1 return for Kubica, but the impressive 115-lap count seems to suggest that he would be able to cope with the physicality despite his life-altering injuries.