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Paddy Lowe has hit back at claims Robert Kubica is a faster driver than both of Williams' 2018 race drivers. After a seven year absence due to permanent injury, Kubica is back in F1 this year but only with the reserve driver role.
But he was reportedly quicker than both Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin in Barcelona testing, potentially endangering their places. Williams technical boss Paddy Lowe doesn't want to hear it. "I don't want to answer that question. I find that it's simply not worthy of an answer," he said.
The team has hailed the intelligence of newcomer Sirotkin, who according to Lowe will be a better benchmark for the teenager Stroll. "Lance is still very young but already on a completely different level to twelve months ago," said Lowe.
And he said the arrival of Sirotkin puts Stroll's place "in a different context". "It was almost too difficult for him to think 'My job is to be as strong as Felipe (Massa)'," Lowe added. (GMM)
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (13)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
So basically yes... Robert was faster than both of the full-time drivers. No problem, still gotta give a chance to Sirotkin. Besides, they will need Sirotkins money more than ever after Martini leaves.
Hepp
Posts: 200
Not so fast.... Testing is just that ... Robert is more capable of pushing the unknown than the youngsters, that is all.... In race trim ? ...we would need a side-by-side comparison.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I would agree with you HEPP, testing is testing, but the way Lowe says this makes it seem really suspect. The pace we see isnt all, thats true, but there is data only the team can access that can tell more. Did Lowe see something but didnt want to admit it?
juju_hound
Posts: 180
I doubt anyone will ever give a sit to Robert. Williams did everyting they could to suggest he is slow.
renaultFanF1
Posts: 80
So this is what F1 is today, rich kids sport. Drivers with real talent and valuable experience should go and drive in different series. So sad to see this
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Only at Sauber and Williams. Every other team has deserving drivers. You could correctlt argue Kimi doesn't deserve his seat at Ferrari, but it would that's only relative to other top drivers.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Today? Honey, I welcome you to F1! It is, will be and has always been a rich man's sport.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
The implication was that it was about kids that are rich AND with no talent. I'm suggesting that other than Williams and Sauber, it's rich WITH talent. I agree that F1 is and has always been an elitist sport.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Well, AFAIK it was always about rich and kids, although I'll give you that F1 more than ever chases little boys like a priest caught with his pants down. About Sauber and Williams... Aint it a bit too early to judge Sirotkin and Leclerc? Neither seem like unworthy candidates. And Stroll has only been here one year, and wasnt all bad last year. Ericsson really is neither very good or bad, but he isnt really what I'd call F1 material.
Jack11
Posts: 1
Williams wanted money not a fast driver ...
Kean
Posts: 692
In a way it is positive that Kubica is not in the Williams car this year, given that the car continues to perform the way that it has. If the car (the failed Tuco) is as bad as it seems, they are the second to last team and Kubica wouldn't be able to do much to impress from there, regardless if he's faster than Sirotkin and Stroll. In all likelyhood people would instead write him off as an injured has-been. By staying connected to F1 and hopefully impress with Manor in WEC, we could see Kubica on the grid in better material next year.
Barron
Posts: 625
That’s a good analysis Kean..
Major Tom
Posts: 152
With such a weak driver line up (surely the worst on the grid?) it hardly surprising the Kubica is faster (as his testing time in Barcelona prove).