Kubica will inform Renault about his 2012 chances within six weeks, says manager

Renault boss Eric Boullier has laid an early November deadline for an answer on whether it needs to start looking for a replacement driver in 2012, as the outfit cannot afford to wait beyond then if it is going to find a top-line racer.

And although that means Kubica will need to give an answer within weeks of hopefully getting back behind the wheel, Morelli is upbeat about the situation going forward.

"Robert is exercising the right elbow by flexing and tensing it; soon he will start twisting it," Morelli told Gazzetta dello Sport. "The hand is progressing: the movements are there and that's the most important thing. Strength is lacking but it's just a matter of time.

"I often talk to Boullier: he'll have an answer - whether positive or negative - by early November, when we'll all have a clearer idea. I'm optimistic."

Boullier has indicated several times that he is willing to wait as long as possible to try and get Kubica back in the car, but is equally aware that he cannot risk damaging the interests of his team.

"Kubica would have been vital this season and we are waiting for him for next season," he said.

"We want him to return, we want him with us. There are no certainties over his state, however: we need to have more or less certain indications on him by early November, because the interests of the team are also at stake."