Robert Kubica says it is too soon to judge when or whether he might return to Formula One following his test for Renault today.
Kubica, who hasn’t raced in Formula One since he was seriously injured in 2011, covered more than two race distances on his return to testing a current-specification car at the Hungaroring today.
“After today it’s too early to say what the next step might be,” said Kubica. “For now, I owe a big thanks to everyone at Renault Sport Formula One Team for making this test happen.”
Kubica set the fourth-quickest time of the day and was cheered by a substantial group of fans opposite his Renault garage.
“It was a fantastic feeling for me to be here today in the RS17 and also it was amazing to see so many fans come to see me out on track, so thank you to all of them,” he said. “It has been an incredible journey to this point, where I have answered many questions to myself.”
“I learnt a lot about the latest generation car, as there are a reasonable amount of differences between it and the Formula One cars I have driven in the past.”
His day got off to a slightly inauspicious start when he clipped the side of the garage with his car as he left. “The car is certainly wider than before,” he noted.
“I was able to work through the team’s programme methodically and I think we made good progress. Certainly my understanding of the RS17 and the 2017 tyres came on a lot.”
Sporting director Alan Permane said it had been a “full and productive day” for the team. “We worked through a comprehensive programme and Robert was able to give us great feedback.”
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Hugh (@hugh11)
2nd August 2017, 17:11
I’d say chuck him in for FP1 for the rest of the season, to then drive in place of Palmer next season.
GtisBetter (@)
2nd August 2017, 17:26
I don’t think driving around in a FP is the problem. It’s the actual race that is the big unknown. Like DiResta said, it’s a totally different experience.
nickfrog (@nickfrog)
2nd August 2017, 22:01
@hugh11
I totally agree with the FP1 idea, sensible.
He has demonstrated that a race distance will be no bother too.
Yeezy918 (@)
3rd August 2017, 10:10
@nickfrog as I understand it, the stamina portion of a full race is not so much the problem. It’s adapting all of the controls that need to be tweaked corner after corner in a race to one side of the steering wheel in an effective way.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
2nd August 2017, 17:29
I got quite emotional just watching the photos and videos. It’s so awesome. He said “I will only return to the paddock as a driver” and he did it.
I still cannot believe it. I remember reading the news about his accident, how it happened, and its implications… and to see him climbing into the car, with that right arm looking like that… and be able to drive a very demanding generation of cars?! it’s mad…
Alex De (@alexde)
2nd August 2017, 18:03
Yep. It’s an inspirational human story.
Damon (@damon)
2nd August 2017, 19:44
“He said “I will only return to the paddock as a driver” and he did it.”
Robert is a man of principle, and sure a man of his word. So rare these days. I guess that is part of his appeal.
Depailler
2nd August 2017, 17:37
Fantastic job by Kubica. Why not put him in for a P1 at the next couple of races, then give him a couple of races before a full contract. Really pleased to see him do so well.
Lee H (@stopitrawr)
2nd August 2017, 18:44
Put him in P1? No just dump Palmer now. Kubica is a far better bet to get points and it’ll attract sponsor support too.
This is a man who everyone written off, who has worked his behind off to get back to this position. He deserves this drive, far more than a below average pay driver.
I say this as a British F1 fan who always supports our talent but frankly I’d take Kubica returning over watching Palmer embarrassing himself like he did in Hungary any day of the week.
digitalrurouni
2nd August 2017, 18:57
Agreed on all points. I think he will be in F1 as Palmer’s replacement in 2018. I can hope at least!
socksolid (@socksolid)
2nd August 2017, 21:42
Does palmer bring in money to renault? Would renault need to pay fines for breaking palmer’s contract in addition to losing palmer’s money if they kicked palmer out? In the end it is all about money I think. Also maybe renault just wants to be 100% sure that robert is up to it or maybe this is just preparation for 2018.
Mick Harrold (@mickharrold)
3rd August 2017, 8:26
@socksolid I don’t know for sure, but I can only assume that must bring in money. In 2015, he got a whole year of FP1 drives and that surely must have been paid for as his talent didn’t earn him that honour.
Ashwin (@redbullf1)
2nd August 2017, 20:03
Pretty sure two F1 movies are gonna be made,
5 years from now one based on Kubica,
20 years from now one based on Leclerc !
zimkazimka (@zimkazimka)
3rd August 2017, 4:34
And don’t forget a Sorkin-penned, Scorsese-directed greed-themed thriller about Ecclestone!
Ashwin (@redbullf1)
3rd August 2017, 17:26
lol , hilarious ! @zimkazimka
Mike Dee (@mike-dee)
2nd August 2017, 20:39
This is hilarious: https://youtu.be/uDSH1sLSTdo?t=42s
Shame that he was in Hülkenberg’s garage, and not Palmer’s. Taking down the “Palmer” sign would have been more ominous!
socksolid (@socksolid)
2nd August 2017, 21:44
Goes to show how the f1 cars have gotten a lot longer from when kubica last drove one.
Damon (@damon)
2nd August 2017, 21:43
A wonderful summary of Kubica’s career so far:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7lpwcIBxVY
Philip (@philipgb)
3rd August 2017, 0:00
F1 hasn’t had a fairy tale story since 2009. It would be nice for something so positive to come out of a tragic event.
I wasn’t as devoted to F1 back when Kubica was still racing so I don’t really recall his driving. I really hope we all get the chance to see him racing again and that he’s at least close to how good he used to be.
grat
3rd August 2017, 19:21
Kubica, to me, is summed by his performance in Canada in 2007 and 2008.
In 2007, he was in one of the worst looking accidents of modern F1– his car went airborne, hit a concrete wall, crossed the entire track while bouncing / rolling, slammed into another barrier, and came to a halt on it’s side.
In 2008, he won the race, giving BMW Sauber it’s only win.
Jon (@johns23)
3rd August 2017, 5:56
I love that he’s being realistic about the whole thing. You know for sure if he does come back in, it wont be just because its a good news story, but it will be because he’s there to win and is capable of mixing it with the top guys.
Yeezy918 (@)
3rd August 2017, 10:14
I feel like his comeback is in essence sealed, but there’s a lot of managing expectations as they figure out how to simplify or streamline the controls to one side of the steering wheel for this over complicated form of F1.
Once they redesign the steering wheel and he’s happy that no performance is left on the table by an inability to tweak settings on the fly, they will make the announcement we’re all waiting for.
kpcart
3rd August 2017, 11:14
Kubica said yesterday the only modification done to wheel was the gear level and that using all the controls was no problem.
Yeezy918 (@)
3rd August 2017, 13:41
Good to hear. I just think of the sheer workload drivers are doing in the cockpit view when i’m watching a race, adjusting brake bias from corner to corner, adjusting strat modes, resetting the system when things go wrong. They have to ensure every eventuality is covered and if they’ve already done it then great news.
Zimbio
3rd August 2017, 15:06
My problem with this is that I believe he’s only steering with one arm, and despite being great at it, it does pose dangers for him and other drivers, expecially during races.
Zimbio
3rd August 2017, 15:07
I meant it would pose a danger, if he is steering using one arm only.
vayha
5th August 2017, 8:18
I remember Kubica’s accident in Canada GP and Massa accident in a short time. Specialists have spoken that after those kind of accidents, F1 driver is going to do one of the two things: drive faster or drive slower. Massa was slower.