Nov.22 (GMM) Bruno Senna has admitted he is hoping to be retained by Renault for 2012.

The Brazilian stepped into the black and gold R31 earlier this season to replace Nick Heidfeld, who had been signed as injured regular Robert Kubica's initial substitute.

Senna, 28, has had mixed form during his seven races so far in 2011, describing his season as "interesting" on Brazilian SporTV.

"In terms of learning, it has been very difficult," he conceded on the sports programme Arena.

"I started in the middle and had to learn to use KERS and the moving wing (DRS), and the lack of experience and mileage impaired me a little," said Senna, ahead of his second home race at Interlagos this weekend.

And his thoughts are already set beyond the season finale, with his mother Viviane revealing last week that they are in negotiations with Renault for 2012.

"I have no contract with any team for next year," Senna clarified. "The intention is to stay at Renault," he added, referring to the Enstone based team that in 2012 will be called Lotus.

"In formula one it is all about performance, and the team is happy with mine."

In a separate interview, he told O Estado de S.Paulo: "I am trying my hardest to stay in this seat.

"It depends on (Robert) Kubica, on (Romain) Grosjean, on sponsorship, a lot of things that, unfortunately, are not under my control.

"We have to get all the factors coming together," the Paulista explained.

On injured Pole Kubica's possible 2012 return, Senna added: "The team isn't going to wait until the middle of next year to decide. I hope it doesn't take too long."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version