Bruno Senna has all but been told that his days at Renault are number after Eric Boullier revealed he wants Romain Grosjean in the car next year.
There has been a lot of talk about Renault's 2012 line-up in recent weeks especially as fans around the world await word on whether or not Robert Kubica can return to Formula One next season.
The Pole has been out since suffering horrific injuries in a rally accident in February with his 2011 race-seat going to first Nick Heidfeld and then Bruno Senna.
But like Heidfeld was dropped in favour of putting Senna in the car, it appears that Boullier is ready to the same to Senna after admitting he wants GP2 Champ Grosjean to race should Kubica not be able to make a return.
"He (Grosjean) is part of the plan," Boullier told the official F1 website. "We would like to have him in the car if Robert cannot come back.
"It is true that in 2009 he was not ready to be in Formula One and he clearly burnt himself. Even so his performance was quite good - he was only three-tenths off the pace of Fernando even though the car was not very good at that time, which makes it even more difficult for a young driver to step into F1.
"When he runs on Fridays he shows that he can deliver and gives good feedback. Clearly the guy has talent and everybody is convinced about that. It is my job to make him ready to step in."
There could yet be a twist in the tale, though, as while Vitaly Petrov has a contract for next season - and much-needed financial backing - his recent rant at the team could cost him his place.
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