Renault boss Boullier backs Senna to deliver more from Japan

The Brazilian was drafted in as replacement for Nick Heidfeld from the Belgian GP and, having outqualified his team-mate Vitaly Petrov twice and scored his maiden points in Monza, Boullier is eyeing even better things.

"His learning curve is good and every race he is gaining something," Boullier told AUTOSPORT about Senna's progress. "I am actually planning to be fair with you, we know in Spa that it was very difficult with the weather, Monza is a very specific track and Singapore as well is very specific - plus we don't have the best car to do well.

"From Japan he will start to put the puzzle together and from Japan he should start delivering more."

Boullier has said he is not concerned that Petrov has not stamped his authority over Senna, and reckons that the biggest issue for the Russian is in dealing with the way his team-mate has integrated himself in the team rather than anything he can do on track.

"I think Vitaly is doing well, but he is maybe more concerned by the fact that Bruno is fitting in very well with the team and basically taking some more attention, rather than the speed," he said. "On track there is plenty of room for them to match each other."

Senna's strong performances will boost his chances of remaining at the team next year if Robert Kubica is not fit enough, but Boullier insists he will make no decision about what to do until the knows the status of his injured star driver.

"I made the commitment to wait after Robert's statement so we will see later," said Boullier, who wants an answer on Kubica's fitness by the end of next month.

"I have to force myself to put a deadline. If you keep delaying and delaying and delaying then you put the interests of this team in danger. So I have to stick to one deadline. I have to stick around this date to at least understand if there is a chance for Robert to be back."