Robert Kubica and Renault may be out-of-sync on their deadlines as the Pole bids to return from injury to formula one.
His doctor Ricciardo Ceccarelli and manager Daniele Morelli reported the good news this week that Kubica, 26, will almost certainly recover from his horror February crash to contest grands prix in 2012.
But Renault team boss Eric Boullier - also with Vitaly Petrov, Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean in the frame - has imposed a strict end-of-October deadline for the finalisation of his driver lineup for next season.
"I have to stick to one deadline," insisted the Frenchman.
Dr Ceccarelli told Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport this week that he will only be able to categorically guarantee Kubica’s readiness for 2012 in early November.
And manager Morelli added: "I speak often with Boullier and will give a response, either positive or negative, in early November when we have a clearer idea."