Robert Kubica's unbroken seven-race run of points-scoring finishes in
Formula 1 in 2008 – stretching all the way back to the Malaysian Grand Prix more than three months ago – came to a shuddering halt at
Silverstone, as he spun out in torrential conditions in the British Grand Prix.
The BMW-Sauber star encountered a technical problem in the final phase of qualifying around the Northants circuit on Saturday – consigning him to a lowly tenth spot on the starting grid – but following a low-key first third to the race he began to come alive following the first round of pit-stops, moving up into a podium-challenging position.
A grassy moment as the conditions worsened, though, was the prelude to an altogether more costly error on lap 40, Kubica skating off the track and into the gravel trap from where there was no way out again.
“I was already aquaplaning for many laps,” the Pole confessed afterwards, “and unfortunately in a straight line I just lost the car completely and went off. Here at Silverstone it was a crazy race in difficult conditions.
“Everything was running pretty well as I was having quite a good race and gaining positions, but when it rained and there was a lot of water on the track I was just struggling. I couldn't keep the car in a straight line, was losing power, the rear wheels were losing contact with the tarmac and that was it.”
Such has been his remarkable pace and consistency over the opening eight grands prix of the campaign, however – and with two of his chief title rivals failing to fare much better, with
Kimi Raikkonen taking away just five points and
Felipe Massa managing none at all – the 23-year-old is still within only two points of the world championship lead, heading towards his
BMW team's home race at Hockenheim in a fortnight's time.
“Robert was doing well,” underlined the Munich and Hinwil-based concern's motorsport president Dr Mario Theissen. “[He] climbed up to third, but then went off during a rain shower. Compliments to him, though, as it was a strong team performance under these difficult conditions.”
