Robert Kubica has admitted defeat in his attempt to be ready for the start of the 2012 Championship.
The Pole is still undergoing rehabilitation after he suffered career-threatening injuries during a rallying accident earlier this year.
Renault had hoped that he would be fit for the start of next season, but Kubica confirmed in a statement that he has informed the team that he won't be ready.
"Even if I've been working very, very hard over the course of the last few weeks, I came to the conclusion that I am not yet certain to be ready for the 2012 season," he said.
"I have called the team and I have informed them of the situation. This was a difficult decision to make, but it is the most reasonable one.
"I also know that LRGP need to prepare for next year, and further extending deadlines would not have been the right thing to do. On a personal level, my recovery is still very encouraging and my doctors keep being impressed. I just need more time, as I want to be 100 per cent ready before I commit to anything driving related.
"Finally, I regret not having been able to provide more news and not having appeared in the papers, and I thank my friends of the media for understanding that this has been the best way for me to cope with what has been the most difficult period of my life."
Team principal Eric Boullier admits everyone at Renault are disappointed that the Pole won't make but says it is important that they start working on their driver line-up for next year.
"Everybody in the team is, of course, very disappointed today," he said.
"Robert not driving in Australia at the start of next season is not what we were all hoping for. However, he has taken a very mature decision, acting in the best interests of Lotus Renault GP. As a team and as a family, we remain 100 per cent behind him and we'll help as much as we can.
"A programme composed of simulator testing, single-seater and F1 track time is awaiting him. In the meantime, we will start talking to a few drivers in order to finalise our line-up for next year as soon as possible. Robert will take it step by step and will jump back in his racing car when he feels it is the right moment to do so. On behalf of all 520 members of the team, I wish him a speedy recovery."
