Robert Kubica Is Back in F1

It's not all glory, Kubica wrecked a lot of cars in WRC...

 

Kubica completes the second test in Hungary in a 2014 FW36 Williams.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/132455/kubica-completes-williams-test-in-hungary

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2017/10/kubica-completes-productive-second-test-with-williams.html

 

I've got my fingers crossed for him. I've been watching some of his pre-crash F1 drives and they are pretty impressive. When Sauber had the BMW engines he was very very fast. Sauber is a shadow of its former self...but if Williams doesn't pick up Kubica, I think Sauber should make him an offer. He might inspire them, and even drag them into the mid pack and away from being the back marker. Good luck Robert.

 

Sauber? They will get Leclerc and Ericsson is pretty bullitt proof as long as his Tetra Pack mate calls the shots.

 

OCTOBER 18, 2017

Paddy Lowe not commenting on Kubica test


Paddy Lowe is remaining quiet about Robert Kubica's chances of joining Williams in 2018.

Recently, Pole Kubica followed up his Renault test duties with a run in Williams' 2014 car at Silverstone.

Along with team reserve Paul di Resta, he is reportedly in the running to replace Felipe Massa next year.

Now, it is reported that Kubica, who last raced in F1 in 2010 prior to injuring his arm, has again been testing, this time in Hungary.

Also present was di Resta.

Earlier, a Williams spokesman said the Silverstone test had been "successful", and now he is saying only that the action in Budapest was "productive".

When asked about who will be Lance Stroll's 2018 teammate, Williams technical boss and co-owner Lowe told Brazil's Globo: "I cannot comment on anything right now.

"All I can say - as everyone already knows - is that we have a few options."

Not long ago, Williams had returned as a force in F1, but in 2017 the British team has slumped to fifth overall behind Red Bull and Force India.

Lowe, who started work at Grove this year, said he is focused on taking Williams back to the front of the grid.

When asked if new engineers could be the answer, Lowe told Globo: "We are aware both of what is on the market and the need to strengthen in all areas.

"I have already made some changes in the way the 2018 project was conducted, and at the moment I am satisfied with what I can see," he added.

Lowe, who joined Williams from championship winners Mercedes, said he is enjoying his role at the once-great team.

"I love my job," he said.

"I've always been employed, but now I have the opportunity to look at the overall project in terms of getting Williams fighting for wins again, not as technical director but also as a partner."

Asked what Williams needs to do to start winning again, he answered: "You need great engineers, an efficient track team, and everything working from an operational point of view.

"When this happens, you get more investors and a better budget," Lowe added.

 

Anyone else get the feeling that the tests are not going well?

 

no

 

Yes

 

What happened to Caracciola?

 

I thought is was a great piece.

Data check: Just how good was Robert Kubica - and is an F1 comeback feasible? https://**********.com/p/data-check-just-how-good-was-robert-fWsTRlT6ROu1FAcyXIRuxw?iid=UDR-IW7TRzqgcpeOKbinVA … via @**********

 

I have no fantasies about Kubica winning the wdc, but I think he could and would outperform a long list of current F1 drivers including both drivers at Haas, Torror Rosso, Sauber and Williams. I also think he could equal (and maybe better) the two Force India drivers, and the junior McLaren driver. As for Renault, we will have to see how well their two drivers do in the next few races. All of that said, I think there should at the very least be a seat for Kubica at a lot of teams. And down the road, if/when he gets tired or feels less competitive than wants driving in F1, (and if other forms of racing don't interest him) I could see him becoming involved in an F1 team in much the same way as Lauda and Prost. But I am hopping the best for him whatever happens.

 

Looking at some Kubica pre-accident f1 YouTube videos, boy those engines sounded great back then. 18,000 rpm...screaming loud. Today's cars, with all the supposed improvements and hybrid power and energy recovery and DRS ********, etc...they sound like a cross between a food processor and a vacuum cleaner. Call it Formula E or whatever, but don't call it Formula One....that was for real cars.

 

I don't think that's the fault of the engines, it's the rules around fuel consumption and the limits on engine components.

 

V6 turbos will never sound as great as the V8 and V10 monsters unleashed at full power, just not possible. Even in road cars, the 488GTB, which has its own unique very good sound and is a V8 turbo, is not a patch on its naturally aspirated sibling in its operatics.

 

Kubica set to drive for Williams in Abu Dhabi F1 test https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/kubica-set-to-drive-for-williams-in-abu-dhabi-f1-test-977157/ … via @motorsport

 

He is still under consideration, surprising but I wish him the best.

 

French TV (Canal +, broadcasting Brazil's qualis now) says he's very likely to get the seat at Williams.

 

Former F1 driver R.Doornbos and friend of Kubica tells a similar story.

One of the problems Kubica faced to get back into F1 was his insurance company. Many if not all F1 drivers have an insurance to cover for the loss of income due to death or permanent injury.

Kubica supposedly was payed millions of Euro`s by his insurance company when he crashed his F1 car years ago.

Restarting an F1 career means he has to repay those funds, story is this was one of the hurdles Kubica had to take to get back into F1.

 

He was paid millions when he crashed his F1 car or rally car?

 

F1.

 

So was this the accident at Montreal?

 

yep

 

Well he only missed one race, Vettel subbed for him at Indy(his debut). So Robert got millions from that crash but he continued to race in F1?

 

No doubt Claire has already tapped up Crashtor, just in case he still can get hold of some oil money from Hugo and his gang

Money talks ...Di Resta probably can't bring any sponsor afaik.i think he could do good job but not in the same league as Kubica was (is?) .

Kvyat might have a bag of Roubles up his sleeve though.

 

It does not really add up, he drove again in F1 after that crash in 2007 - it's after his 2011 rally crash that he could not drive anymore.
So 2007 is old news, if he had to pay something that should already have been done - apparently nothing prevented him to race in F1 after that crash.
2011 could be a different story though.