Kubica

One of the most amazing figures in racing.

Even so I don't think he'd be able to compete these days.
Not that he'd be allowed by health and safety.

 

Hell yes. I like Kubica. I'm not hating on the guy by any means. He scored the only win for Sauber ever (well, ok BMW Sauber, but still it was in the name ).

It's just the reality of F1 that with such a serious wound and resulting handicap the odds are stacked against you. Cue in Nannini.

 

In-car video of ex-F1 star Robert Kubica rolling car during Rallye Azores - Autoweek

I really hope he can come back to F1 as soon as possible. After seeing this video of him crashing again during his rally race, I think its time for him to quit and come back to F1. Its safer for him.

 

That's what Webber said and everyone laughed

 

Mercedes are willing to offer Kub a F1 test. I believe we will see him running during a FP1 sometime later in the year and I bet he signs as a test driver sometime after.

Good for you Robert, way to go.

 

That's good news, you have a link?

 

I think Lotus Renault should offer him a test role. Roman has been not performing well, besides the last race. Hopefully he can replace him next year.

 

Mercedes prepared to give Kubica F1 test - GPUpdate.net

 

A bit of speculation. If Robert hadn't had his accident would Kimi be back? With Renault/Lotus? If not them would he be as successful?

 

I reckon Kimi decided his rallying lark wasn't working too well and he realized that even with all the BS he missed it. So, yeah, he'd have found a seat somewhere.

As to success, who knows? Outside of the big 4 who weren't looking for jockeys, where could he have found a better seat?

Cheers,
Ian
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I remember Williams being in the conversation when Kimi was coming back, perhaps he would have ended up there. But yeah, Kimi realized he sucked at rallying and I'm sure he missed winning.

 

+1

He didn't exactly stick with his little NASCAR truck experiment either..... Couldn't make it turn left it seems.....

During his NASCAR debut;

Almost an entire seasons quotes from him right there.....

Cheers,
Ian

 

Dredging this one up again once more from the dark murky depths:

Prior to the BBC's qualifying programme for the Canadian GP they had an interview with Robert Kubica.

During the interview he mentioned how he was getting more movement back in his arm and wrist and said that he'd love to drive F1 again but they'd need to make the cockpit @ 10 ~ 15 cm wider for him to be comfortable and able to drive a full race distance.

He said that a single lap might be possible but with the size of the current cockpits, a full race distance would be out of the question.

 

In the October issue of Motorsport.
I haven't finished it yet but its a good update on his progress.

 

The best was when they told him he was the recipient of the "Lucky Dog" (able to get his lap back) and there was just silence on Kimi's end...hahaha

 

Coming back to this thread yet again:

It seems Ferrari may have been on the verge of signing Robert Kubica before his accident but now Stefano Domenicali and Ferrari have come to the conclusion that we will never see him race in F1 again (As I, amongst others have been suggesting for a long time now!):

(From: Robert Kubica won't return to F1 - Ferrari's Stefano Domenicali | Ferrari | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN.co.uk ) :

Ferrari was interested in signing Robert Kubica but team principal Stefano Domenicali doesn't believe he will ever return to Formula One.

Kubica was often linked with a move to Ferrari before his rally accident in February 2011 which has seen him unable to drive a Formula One car since. Asked by a fan on the official Ferrari website if there was ever the intention for Ferrari to sign Kubica, Domenicali confirmed: "Yes, we were keeping an eye on him.

"Unfortunately, I don't think he will be back, because with his physical problem, he would struggle in certain limited situations which require reactivity. It's a shame."

 

Oddly enough MB still seem interested in him:
SPEEDWEEK Formel 1 - Robert Kubica: Ferrari nein, Mercedes vielleicht

 

Based on My previous post about how Kubica has stated that to be comfortable in an F1 car over a race distance they'd have to make the cockpit 10~15cm wider, and combining that with the recent complaints being made about heavier drivers being penalised in F1 in future, I'd say Ferrari's view on Kubica is far more realistic than Mercedes'!

 

Kub has run on MBs sim a couple times, he would be great for sim work....... I would think.

 

I'm not sure he would TBH!

If he can't drive the F1 car on track then he cannot relate the simulation to the actual car and so any data you got from him could be corrupted and lead you down the wrong path.

Added to that, you've got completely new cars from 2014 that Kubica will have no idea what they're like to drive or race.

Basically, from next year Kubica is going to be a whole car evolution behind the rest of F1.

Frankly, and it sounds harsh, but Mercedes would be better off dropping the whole Kubica comeback idea and concentrating more on their car and race drivers. At the end of the day, the whole Kubica thing is a distraction they don't need!

Even Kubica himself has pretty much admitted that a proper comeback is extremely unlikely when he said he needed a much bigger cockpit before he'd be comfortable in a car over a race distance.

 

The reason he cannot drive a normal F1 car is because his arm needs a little more room - for aerodynamic and weight reasons, a cockpit cannot be built to accommodate this or the car would be uncompetitive. Aerodynamics don't apply to a simulator so that restriction is removed.

I think he could still be of value, just not in an F1 race seat. It's a shame because I really liked Kubica, thought he had WDC potential, and would have liked to see him drive for Ferrari.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Me too. He was a breath of fresh air. Candid, honest, and a good driver.

 

+1


I was sure he'd become champion at some point, and probably with Ferrari. He ranked right up there with Alonso, Vettel, and Hamilton in terms of driver skill.


Mark

 

I always admired him,but as a doctor when I reviewed his injuries I didnt think he would drive again let alone race. When someone is that determined, I cant rule out the possibility of some F1 work-after all he is young and still progressing in his rehab.

 

Whilst that's very true, if he cannot drive the real car properly on a track, how can he relate how the simulator compares? His feedback is instantly compromised and it's value becomes limited.

Kubica back in F1 is a nice idea, and Mercedes letting him use their simulator is a great piece of PR for them but the reality of the situation is that it's a pipe dream at best!

Already teams are stating that taller, heavier drivers could be a compromise that they can't afford any more, Kubica has stated that he can't fit in the cars comfortably any more and he's going to get no real experience of the new cars on track because on track testing time is far too precious, so what's the point?

Is Kubica going to be happy driving F1 cars on the simulator for the rest of his days? - No he's not!

Frankly, as I see it, both parties would be better off without the distraction of this pipe dream!