Kubica set for rally return

Former BMW and Renault F1 star Robert Kubica looks set to make his return to competition this weekend, with reports suggesting he will take in the Ronde Gomitolo di Lana rally in Italy.

The Pole, who has had to endure an 18-month lay-off following serious injuries sustained in a rallying accident in Italy prior to the start of the 2011 F1 season, is due to drive a Subaru Impreza WRC. He will be joined in the cock-pit by Giuliano Manfredi. While he is on the entry list though, it is believed his team faces a race against time to prep his car ahead of the start on Saturday.

The news comes in the wake of unconfirmed reports that he tested for the Ford World Rally Team last month, getting behind the wheel of a Fiesta RS WRC car at the little-known Circuit des Ecuyers test track near the French town of Chateau-Thierry as the M-Sport-run team geared up for Rallye Deutschland [see separate story - HERE].