Heidfeld, Liuzzi also in Renault frame

The injuries that Kubica picked up in his rally crash last weekend look set to keep him out for at least most of the season ahead - meaning his Renault outfit need to find a stand-in for him that can capitalise on the promising early form of the R31.

Although the team's lead reserve driver Bruno Senna has a year of F1 racing under his belt, his lack of experience in developing a front-running car may force Renault to look elsewhere for someone who can help guide the team through 2011.

Speaking at a press conference at the Santa Corona hospital on Tuesday, Boullier said that the team was evaluating its options for a Kubica replacement - and suggested the current plan for one of the reserve drivers to test at Jerez this week.

"The first one driving will at the moment be our first test driver," Boullier was quoted as saying by IVG.it. "In the meantime, we will look for Kubica's substitute: the names considered are Senna, Liuzzi and Heidfeld.

"The team is close to Robert, we wait for him with open arms and we hope he can come back before the end of the season.

"It was Robert's choice, he wanted to go rallying at all costs and Renault authorised it. Now we just wait to know what the recovery time is for our driver."

Boullier said that Kubica was in high spirits considering his injuries, having visited him with team-mate Vitaly Petrov.

"We have been with Robert for about fifteen minutes: we have joked and we have found him very well. Obviously he immediately wanted to know the team's programme for this season."