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Senna not boosted by Kubica news

Bruno Senna said that he has "had encouraging conversations with sponsors and with the team" over his Renault future © Getty Images

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• Kubica to miss start of 2012
  

• Drivers:
• Robert Kubica
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• Bruno Senna

• Teams:
• Renault

Bruno Senna said that Robert Kubica's announcement that he will not be ready to return to Formula One for the start of the 2012 season "does not change anything".

Senna replaced Nick Heidfeld at Renault from the Belgian Grand Prix onwards this season, with Heidfeld having originally taken over Kubica's seat following his rallying accident in February. With his contract with the team coming to an end after this weekend's race in Brazil, Senna said that Kubica's news did not give him added hope that he will stay with the team next season.

"For me, the announcement (about Kubica on Wednesday) does not change anything," Senna said. "I am working to convince the team that I should stay but the competition is great."

Senna also admitted that "it is important" to bring a good amount of sponsorship.

With team-mate Vitaly Petrov admitting even he was not 100% certain of a seat despite having a contract for 2012, Senna said there was a lot of competition for a place at Renault and he needed to be more consistent if he was to remain with the team.

"It's hard to comment, I haven't read Petrov's contract. I have no information. I'm not worried about the seat next to me. (Romain) Grosjean is the third driver but everyone who is also on the market is an enemy - Rubens (Barrichello) has a huge amount of experience.

"We will have to see what the team decides. We have had encouraging conversations with sponsors and with the team. The team is happy with me but they want more consistency. I have had ups and downs and I need my first whole season since 2008 (in GP2) to improve more."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.