Kubica: Ocon shouldn't push too much for Williams seat
- Published on 05 Sep 2018 14:02
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Robert Kubica has warned Esteban Ocon over a potential drive at Williams for the 2019 season. The Grove squad has had a torrid 2018 so far, emerging as the grid's clear backmarkers.
Ocon is set to leave Force India in a number of weeks to make way for Lance Stroll. Stroll's father Lawrence bought the team over the summer break, pulling it from administration. Sergio Perez is likely to stay, meaning Stroll's arrival will be at the expense of Ocon.
It would open up a seat at Williams, however it is expected that Kubica would take it for the remaining races in the 2018 season. Kubica says that if Ocon was eyeing the seat for 2019, he shouldn't get too excited: "If I was him, I would not be pushing too much for it," he laughed. "But I just do my own thing."
Speaking about the possibility of racing at the final handful of races this year, Kubica said: "For me it is more speculation than emotion. A lot happened in Formula 1 in August, but for me it's not like a lot of doors suddenly opened or closed."
Kubica was in the running for a full-time drive this year, before Williams confirmed that Sergey Sirotkin would race for them. The 33-year-old was handed the role of reserve and development driver, but he says that he didn't take the job just to stay in the frame for a race seat.
"No. What I was trying to do was drive a Formula 1 car. Currently the regulations are not favourable because there is almost no testing. So my priority was to sit behind the wheel, but of course by signing a contract you have to be professional and in case something happens get in the car and do your job," he said.
"But the fact that I could get into the car does not automatically mean that I will be able to do all the races. On the one hand it would be the accomplishment of a dream, but on the other it may not have the happy end that I want," the Pole added.
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Replies (11)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
It's frustrating every time I remember that Kubica is a reserve driver and that Stroll and Sirotkin are the main driver at Williams.
Nihilist
Posts: 11
Let's hope that after the transfer period, the paddock will clear itself of such absurdities and KUB in 2019 will become the main driver of HAAS / Sauber / Toro Rosso / Force Canada (WMR probably less likely, because there it is too much $$-driven team).
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Sure is. Would personally love to see Kubica and Ocon paired for 2019... Not that it would ever happen, this is reality, not my fun fun dream land...
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
@calle It could happen, in fact, if Williams was being ran by any other team manager it would probably be a likely outcome. However, the reality is that Williams is the worst managed team in F1 and they are an utter disgrace to their own legacy. My prediction is that they keep Sirotkin and also get mediocre Markelov from F2. An all Russian well-funded lineup.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
2 Russians? Could be, but I find it unlikely. Both are pretty young, and are thus pretty unpreferable if they wanna attract other bigname sponsors aside from the drivers' own sponsors. And for the same reason, most teams tend to avoid having 2 drivers of the same nationality. So not unlikely that they might try to aim for Vandoorne or Ocon, but might get Kubica in the car in a pinch.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Either way I don't think that Williams can afford to run two rookies again. They combination of an solid lead and rookie driver seemed to work better in the past. Their current lineup isn't able to improve the car nor drive it to it's maximum potential. For me if they could get Ocon with any other would be great.
Mr N71
Posts: 31
Well... KUB wast the slowest of those 3
Nihilist
Posts: 11
Ocon is young (21), not ery expirenced driver... so i would treat him as a novice, like Sirotkin or Stoll.
The Ocon + Kubica duo could be nice, but the sponsors do not follow it.
Who knows, maybe Markelov + Kubica ... there is money, experience and talent in that combo.
Mr N71
Posts: 31
Lets face it. ALL drivers on the F1 grid have to put in E100m one way or another. No driver drives without a money package/ sponsor deal. Not even HAM or anyone else.
Nihilist
Posts: 11
I will not agree with that. Among the main drivers of some teams there are several, for which there is more talent than money. It is a matter of the owner's business model (eg red bull).
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Curious who you think those drivers are? You mention Red Bull but all their drivers are heavily backed by RB. There's an entry fee to racing in F1 so the money has to come from somewhere whether it be from sponsors, racing teams themselves, friends, loans, or heaven forbid, a drivers own father.