Robert Kubica Exclusive Interview

From a GP winner of the past to a driver who usually occupies the last place in each race – Robert Kubica. This is what he has to say:

This 18th place in France is something of a victory for Robert Kubica. For the first time this season, the Pole scored a place ahead of Williams team-mate George Russell.

It’s disheartening. After the race in Canada in 2008, the 34-year-old was considered a hopeful talent of the future. A contract with Ferrari was as good as fix. Now he’s fighting not to be last.

But at least he is fighting again. He was gone for over eight years, because of a rally accident that injured his right arm so badly that he still experiences limitations today.

It seems that the years of fighting to return to a Formula 1 cockpit is his biggest achievement.

Hence, in an interview with ABMS and F1 Insider, he emphasized that his comeback was not a mistake. Kubica:

“A clear, no! I just imagined it less complicated, less difficult. It started with the car not getting ready on time for this season. But I love this sport and I really wanted to get back into Formula 1. And I did it.

“It’s a hundred thousand times better to deal with problems here in Formula 1 than lying on the sofa at home and watching the races on TV.”

That Kubica finished last in seven out of eight races, is foremast Williams fault. The team with a long tradition in Formula 1 is clearly the worst team this season.

But Kubica is also behind his much younger team-mate Mercedes junior driver George Russell. In qualifying the current tally is a devastating 0: 8 against him.

Asked whether Kubica could win races in a Mercedes car, the Pole didn’t want to give an answer. Kubica:

“One thing I can say: My problems at the moment don’t have anything to do with my alleged handicap. Monaco is the perfect example.

“At the beginning of the season, there were many people who predicted ahead of this race that it would be my toughest Grand Prix, due to its tight radius of some curves.

“But that wasn’t the case! The problems have a technical background, not a physical one. But I have to live with these prejudices that some people have.”

Read the full interview in the latest issue of ABMS.

*This article was first published in German at autobild.de/motorsport.