Rallying remains a hot topic for Formula One drivers following Kimi Raikkonen's possible switch of codes in 2010, with both Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel looking to take to the stages.

Despite crashing out of the Rally Taormina-Messina in Sicily last weekend, the Pole has confirmed that he will take part in next week's Rallye du Var, driving Clio Renault Sport R3 Maxi, although he admits that he would need to get used to heeding the advice of a co-driver is he is to progress [read story here].

"I'm interested in all categories of motorsport and I particularly like rally," Kubica confirmed, "It's a very demanding and spectacular category and I have been thinking about participating in a rally for quite a while. Joining the Renault F1 Team has created the perfect opportunity to try this out.

"I will approach the event cautiously, without any particular objective. The roads in the south of France are as nice as they are challenging and I will try to enjoy it as much as I can with Team Chazel."

The 2005 World Series by Renault champion will be cheered on by his most recent successor, as 2009 winner Bertrand Baguette - who is due to test with Renault a s reward for taking the title - will attend the Rallye du Var as a spectator.

"As the team continues with its preparations for the start of the 2010 F1 season, we look forward to seeing Robert taking part in the rally behind the wheel of the Clio Renault Sport R3," Renault F1 MD Jean-François Caubet commented, "Rallying is a category which promotes interaction between drivers and spectators and I'm sure Robert will have many fans supporting him on the stages."

While Kubica is able to live out his rally ambitions, however, it appears that Vettel - who attended this year's Rally Finland as a spectator - may have to cool his heels, having apparently been told by Red Bull Racing that he is not risk injury ahead of the 2010 campaign.

"Rallying is strongly in fashion for us F1 drivers," the German admitted to Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell.