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Kubica - 'I can't drive a single seater'

Robert Kubica celebrates his victory in the Ronde Gomitolo di Lana in September ... but for now rally is the limit © Sutton Images

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It's the news no one was waiting to hear - Robert Kubica has confirmed that the injuries he incurred in his February 2011 rally crash have left him unable to drive a single-seater at the present time.

"I have a few limitations, but lately I have also driven on the race track performance cars, and I think they are not limiting me at this moment," Kubica told Reuters this week. "I have a big limitation of my arm which doesn't allow me to test single-seaters.

"Unfortunately, for the moment I cannot do anything, so I am driving rally cars, or, let's say, cars with roofs, on the race track. It has been a long time, unfortunately, since I stopped with Formula One, so my contacts are very limited. I have been concentrating on getting my health and body back to the best condition."

While the news comes as little surprise to those inside the paddock, who had been expecting a statement along similar lines for the best part of the past 18 months, Kubica's legions of fans have long held on to the hope that the Polish driver would make an F1 return.

Before the Rally di Andora crash that nearly cost him his life, Kubica was widely viewed as a champion in waiting, a driver whose only hindrance was the lack of a competitive car. His talent was undeniable, as anyone who has seen him race will attest, and the popular Pole was widely believed to be in line to partner Fernando Alonso at Ferrari.

"For the, let's say future, I don't have any plans up until now. In the end, I am still at the stage of rehabilitation but for sure I would love to compete in a high level championship, or in a rally or on a circuit," he said. "Let's see, until now I did some rallies, I did some testing on the race track, and we hope - I hope - my hand will improve and my general condition will improve.

"We're going step by step forward; let's see what the future will bring."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.