Kubica expecting to be 'like a rookie' throughout 2019 season
- Published on 18 Jan 2019 10:47
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Robert Kubica says that he is expecting to be more like a rookie rather than a Grand Prix winner and a contester of five Formula 1 seasons this year.
The Pole makes his full-time F1 return with Williams, joining Mercedes junior George Russell at the team. Kubica last raced in the sport in 2010, prior to a rally accident that put him out of action.
Although he has tested with Williams and driven its car throughout the 2018 campaign, Kubica says that F1 has changed too much in the last 10 years for him to apply his previous knowledge when he raced for BMW Sauber and Renault.
"In Australia, I am more like a rookie driver than one who has already done five seasons," Kubica told Autosport. "The reason is because F1 has changed so much. F1 has always been changing and if you compare the cars from the start of the 2000s to the end, they are completely different.
"I have to work hard and I'm looking forward to the challenge but also I'm looking forward to finding the natural way of driving that I had in the past - when you are in the car often, racing every 10 days or so. Everything should come as naturally as possible, you don't have to look for it and it's all natural."
However, Kubica says that the knowledge of how to compete against the best drivers in the world has stayed with him, and he believes it will be a benefit to his first F1 campaign in nine years.
"What is helping me is that I lived this sport on such a high level, so I experienced what it means to be an F1 driver and what it means to race against the top drivers," said Kubica. "I hope that this experience will help me to achieve the levels which I would like to and this is the goal.
"My feet are on the ground and I know what is coming next is a big challenge from a sports point of view. Being in F1 among 20 F1 drivers is a big honour but also a tough job, so there is a big challenge in front of me. All I care about is my job and what I am doing, there will always be someone judging you and in different ways."
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Replies (6)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Kubica might not have the top 5 speed he had 8 years ago. However, even if he's not really fast, I expect very mature drives. No dumb mistakes.
KR#531
Posts: 2
Few good drivers out, a lot of rookies so it will be very interesting year. I'm sure Robert will proof he is top driver. He may be a better driver than 8 years ago, just check WRC onboards with Kubica :D
Mr N71
Posts: 31
To KR#531
In WRC you are the only car on the track. Here in F1 it´s 19 other cars at the same spot. specialy in the start. I don't believe KUB will do any good at all. If He will come up with a good result, it's something wrong with the sport. If A disabled ex-driver at his 35:th year could make an expression F1 can not be the NO 1 motorsport i the world anymore and the drivers can not be the best of the best.
siggy74
Posts: 194
Its not just about, if the driver is disabled or not.
Its also about how he positions the car, in and out of the corners. How quick he is on the throttle, or how late he is on the brakes...
Last thing of all its down to how good a package the car is.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
How good the car is may just be the first thing. Most likely is. If Williams doesn't improve their package he'll be at the back of the grid regardless of how good he is.
f1ski
Posts: 726
If he finishes ahead of where he qualifies its a success