Kubica: Time to stop talking about my F1 limitations
Robert Kubica has called for an end to talk about his physical limitations after returning to Formula 1 pre-season testing at Barcelona.
The Pole, who suffered life-threatening injuries in a horrific crash in 2011, missed out on an 2018 F1 race seat after Williams opted for Russian rookie Sergey Sirotkin.
Kubica was instead named as the Grove-based outfit’s reserve driver, a role which will include contesting three Friday practice outings throughout the upcoming season, as well as driving at winter testing.
Robert Kubica has called for an end to talk about his physical limitations after returning to Formula 1 pre-season testing at Barcelona.
The Pole, who suffered life-threatening injuries in a horrific crash in 2011, missed out on an 2018 F1 race seat after Williams opted for Russian rookie Sergey Sirotkin.
Kubica was instead named as the Grove-based outfit’s reserve driver, a role which will include contesting three Friday practice outings throughout the upcoming season, as well as driving at winter testing.
In his first appearance at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya since the 2010 Spanish Grand Prix, Kubica completed 58 laps at the wheel of Williams’ FW41 during a freezing afternoon disrupted by snow showers.
Frustrated with a line of questioning over his return to an F1 cockpit, Kubica said: “I have always been comfortable, it was only media talks that I was not comfortable. If I keep changing things you will keep saying I have limitations. We should stop talking about this.
“If I can jump in the car and do the job I think that's fair enough, of course I have my limitations but I never hide them. The problem is I was too honest with everybody and they kept asking questions, I think we should stop it.
“We have things to concentrate on. I’m living a good experience, I’m enjoying my role. I’m happy to give positive messages, not always the same story after many years.”
Kubica finished seventh fastest on Tuesday with a lap time four tenths faster than Sirotkin managed on the same soft tyres. His best lap - a 1:21.495s - was also quicker than Lance Stroll’s effort from the opening day, also set on softs.
“It was all OK, difficult conditions and a difficult afternoon. The conditions are extreme for sure they are not helping us.
“We did some evaluation work. It was good to be in the car, good to have a feeling in the new car. It will give me a better idea for our engineering department which area we need to improve.
“There are some very positive things about this car but some things we have to get on top of, which is normal with a new car and a quite different approach compared to last year.”