Kubica Hindered by Superlicence Issues
Robert Kubica's hopes of becoming Minardi's third driver at the Chinese Grand Prix appear to be fading with the Polish driver still having failed to secure the superlicence he needs to take part
The newly crowned World Series by Renault champion had agreed a deal with Minardi to become their Friday driver in Shanghai, subject to getting the necessary licence off the FIA.
But the sport's governing body have written to the Polish federation claiming that Kubica will only get the licence if he completes the minimum of 300 kilometres of testing in an F1 car - something that is impossible to do in the short timeframe left.
Talks are continuing with the FIA and both Kubica and Minardi are now hoping that a solution can be found before Monday - otherwise they will have to call their plans off.
Minardi boss Paul Stoddart said: "He does not have a superlicence yet, and we are waiting on that. We don't want to get his hopes up before it is given the go-ahead."
Kubica admitted that he would not travel to China unless he had been granted the licence.
"If I do not receive the super licence by Monday, I will not fly to China," he said. "As far as I am concerned, I have no positive news from my manager Daniele Morelli. In fact, I have no news from him at all."
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