Senna and Heidfeld to try out as Kubica replacement

Renault has issued a statement tonight saying that both Bruno Senna and Nick Heidfeld will be given a chance to test the new car at this weekend's Jerez test with a view to replacing team leader Robert Kubica, badly injured in a rally accident on Sunday.

"Vitaly (Petrov) will drive the R31 on Thursday and Friday, as originally scheduled. For Saturday and Sunday, the team will give mileage to Bruno Senna and will also evaluate Nick Heidfeld, who is a potential replacement for Robert Kubica as a race driver. The exact running order for the weekend will be confirmed on Friday evening, " said the statement.

Team principal Eric Boullier said yesterday that "we need to understand if we are making a choice for short or long term, but we are coming around to thinking the latter."

Heidfeld represents a solid choice. He is very experienced, strong technically and has a lot of experience of the Pirelli tyres as he is the original official tester for the Italian marque. Senna did not really get a chance to show what he can do in last year's Hispania and it would be good for him to get a chance. But with Petrov still learning the ropes in the other car, if the team is thinking about a driver to get a minimum of 150 points on the board with what looks like a quick car this year then they may vote for Heidfeld.

Kubica continues to please the medics treating him in Italy. He has moved the fingers of his right hand, partially severed in two places in the horrific crash. But it will be a week before doctors will know whether the blood supply is secure and the hand will survive. You get the feeling though that Kubica will recover as fast as it's possible to.

As his friend and doctor Riccardo Ceccarelli said, "Two days ago we were praying for him to live, now we are beginning to dream."

According to stories in the Gazzetta dello Sport, Kubica was joking with Boullier yesterday saying that he is indestructable, "You know I'm a robot?" he joked with his team boss. Meanwhile Petrov brought him a spring loaded hand strengthener.