Polish Formula1 driver Robert Kubica will not be driving in the opening races of 2012 for the Renault Team (set to become Lotus Renault in 2012) since he will not have recovered sufficiently from the injuries that he received when his Skoda car crashed while he was participating in a rally. Rallying has been a passion with Kubica and therefore decided to participate in a one of rally competition before the start of the 2011 F1 season. Kubica was lucky to survive the crash and at one time it was believed that he would lose his right hand which fortunately was re-attached to his body and subsequently regained its functioning. Kubica may join the team sometime during the 2012 season if he returns to full fitness. Team boss Eric Boullier has said that the team is committed to Kubica and that he can return to racing with the team when he is fully fit.