Nick Heidfeld in Sauber colours at the Singapore Grand Prix last September. — Reuters pic

The Lotus-backed outfit said the experienced 33-year-old German would test for the team at Spain's Barcelona circuit this week and race alongside Russian Vitaly Petrov at Sakhir on March 13.

Kubica will be out for at least three months and possibly the entire season after suffering serious arm, leg and hand injuries in a rally crash in Italy.

He underwent another eight hours of surgery yesterday, his third operation in 11 days, to stabilise and reconstruct his broken right elbow.

The team said doctors were happy with the outcome and Kubica, 26, will remain in intensive care for a few days.

"I would have liked to come back to Formula One in different circumstances, but I'm proud to have been given this chance," said Heidfeld, who has yet to win a race despite starting 172 grands prix.

The German, who likes the nickname "Quick Nick", drove for Sauber last year after starting the season as the Mercedes test driver and then working with new tyre provider Pirelli.

He was also Kubica's teammate at Sauber for the best part of four years.

 "Everything has happened so quickly, but I've been very impressed by what I have seen so far in terms of the facilities and the dedication of the people at Enstone (the Renault factory)," said Heidfeld.

"I really enjoyed the test last week in Jerez and I've already settled in well with the guys at the track. I have a good feeling for the car, which is quite innovative. I'm extremely motivated and can't wait for the season to begin."

Renault principal Eric Boullier said the team could not afford to waste time on finding a replacement with just two important tests remaining to develop the car before the first of a record 20 races this year.

"We gave Nick a chance in Jerez last week and he really impressed us," said the Frenchman, who opted not to use any of the team's five contracted but inexperienced reserve drivers.

"He's quick, experienced and is very strong technically with his feedback and understanding of the car. We always said the priority was to have an experienced driver in the car and we feel he is the ideal man for the job."

Kubica's absence will be keenly felt in Formula One, with the Pole both popular and very fast.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner, whose championship-winning team are also powered by Renault engines, told Reuters that Kubica must set realistic targets in planning his recovery and not put pressure on himself.

He added that Formula One's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone was also keeping an attentive eye on one of the sport's hot properties.

"I've spoken to Bernie on a few occasions, who has followed his progress with great interest, and it seems like he (Kubica) has received really good medical attention, the doctors have done a fantastic job for him," said the Briton. — Reuters

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 17 — Four years ago, cyclist and Texas native Lance Armstrong, wearing a yellow tie, spent a long day lobbying state politicians on a major cancer research proposal. When a hearing at the Texas Capitol stretched into the evening, the famous cancer survivor stayed, even though that meant missing the wedding rehearsal dinner of his step-sister.

"That was so indicative of his total commitment to whatever endeavour he undertakes," said state Senator Jane Nelson, who worked closely with him on the successful initiative.

After Armstrong's retirement yesterday from cycling to focus on his campaign against cancer, those who have worked with him expect the champion cyclist to be as tenacious in that fight as he was climbing the Alps during the Tour de France.

Now a 39-year-old father of five, Armstrong at age 25 was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his abdomen, lungs and brain. He underwent aggressive treatment, recovered and went on to win every Tour de France from 1999 to 2005.

Since his battle with cancer, Armstrong has compiled an impressive resume of public works. He served six years on the US President's Cancer Panel, testified before Congress, and hosted two forums on cancer during the 2008 presidential election.

Livestrong, his Austin-based foundation known for its yellow bracelets, started a global campaign in 2008 that held a summit in Dublin in 2009 and co-sponsored the World Cancer Congress in Shenzhen, China, in 2010.

"We've come a long way . . . but we have a long way to go," Armstrong said in a statement yesterday. "Cancer is now the world's leading cause of death and for 28 million of us, survivorship is a daily fact of life."

Armstrong's agenda for this year includes serving as co-chairman of a California campaign to use money from a cigarette tax to invest in cancer treatment and prevention. He also plans to continue pushing for a state-wide ban in Texas on smoking in indoor workplaces from his home base in Austin.

In Texas in 2007, Armstrong, Governor Rick Perry and others worked to create the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, which is distributing up to US$3 billion (RM9.1 billion) for cancer research over 10 years.

For Armstrong, it was a year-long crash course in politics including lobbying the Texas Legislature to put the measure on the state-wide ballot. He then hit the campaign trail on a bus dubbed "Survivor One", touring Texas to urge voters to approve government bonds to fund the research.

"He got frustrated, which we all do when we're trying to work on a project," said state Rep Jim Keffer, another lawmaker who worked with Armstrong. "It was a tremendous crusade."

The proposal hit a number of obstacles, and Armstrong showed up at the state Capitol to personally coax it through behind the scenes, not just to stand in front of television cameras at press conferences, Nelson said.

"There were many times . . . it didn't look like that bill was going to make it, and he was relentless and he really did work," said Nelson, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

Armstrong's political work has fuelled speculation that he may one day run for public office, something that at least so far, he has said he is not planning to do. Armstrong has declined to say publicly whether he leans towards the Republican conservative end of the US political spectrum or Democratic liberal side.

"I think he's probably going to be a lot more comfortable being the advocate than being the politician," Keffer said. — Reuters