(from autosport) Formula One teams interested in luring Robert Kubica away from BMW Sauber will almost certainly have to wait until 2010, autosport.com understands, with the Pole set to be locked in for at least another year at his current outfit. Kubica's strong start to the season, which has left him fourth overall in the drivers' championship, has made him an obvious target for front-running teams well aware that he is only officially confirmed until the end of this year. However, sources close to Kubica have told autosport.com that there is an option in his contract that gives BMW Sauber the automatic right to sign him up for another season. The option, which is believed to expire in September, essentially gives the team until the summer to decide whether or not they want to keep Kubica on board. With his current form, the matter looks a formality - although in theory BMW Sauber could choose to sell the Pole's contract on to another team. Last year, Kubica was informed immediately after his Canadian Grand Prix crash that he would be retained for 2008, and BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen has already suggested the team will finalise their drivers in the next few months. When asked by autosport.com if he was worried that Kubica's speed would increase the likelihood of a rival team trying to poach the Pole, Theissen said: "No. When we took him, we expected him to be strong. We'll announce next year's drivers in the summer." Theissen has said that he believes the improved F1.08 has keen key to allowing Kubica to show the raw speed that was so evident in 2006 but missing for parts of last year. "Yes. I would say he's back on track," explained Theissen. "What we're seeing now is quite similar to what we saw in 2006. "He had a very tough year last year and it was more difficult for him than for other drivers to adapt to the standard spec tyre and he had quite a few technical problems and then quite a big shunt. So it was a learning year and now he's back on track."
well, great news for Ice Kubik. i wonder now, if they'll extend Nick's contract as well. for me, i think he too, is doing a good job.
Nick is starting to get dusted by Kubica on a regular basis. He needs to get on with the program if he wants to be re-signed.
He seems to be getting beat in qualifying but on race day, Nick seems to handle traffic better and improves position more than Kubicka. I think they are, as a team, the strongest driver pairing in F1 at present. Hamilton, Kimi, and Alonso are individually better drivers but all have weaker partners.
Nick is already signed for the next few years. This information was released when his contract was renewed in 07.
As good as I think Hamilton is I'm not so sure he's far and away better than HK. Apparently, according to Whitmarsh, Kovi could have won the Turkish GP as he was on a much heavier fuel load than Hamilton and his driving style didn't tax the front right tire which would have meant Kovi would have been on a two stop race. McLaren contends that if Kovi could have kept in touch with Massa he would have stopped well after him, and during those laps gotten in front of Massa. Of course we'll never know. What we do know though is Kovi out qualified Hamilton with a heavier car.
+1, NH and RK are consistent day in and day out, unlike the other pairings. RK isn't too far behind LH KR and FA skill-wise either.