'Robert Kubica offers Williams $7m for 7 races'
- Published on 19 Dec 2017 10:31
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Robert Kubica is reportedly right back in the game as Williams considers how to complete its 2018 driver lineup. Recently, the well-backed Russian Sergey Sirotkin looked to have secured the seat, much to the disappointment of many who wanted to see Kubica make an emotional return to F1.
But Finnish broadcaster MTV claims Kubica is now back in the game. His manager Nico Rosberg has reportedly "made an offer" so that Kubica gets the green light to do the first seven races of 2017, at a benefit of $7 million in total to the British team. "If he does not convince Williams (during the 7 races), Sirotkin will replace the Pole," the report added.
Williams is reportedly "seriously considering" the Kubica-Rosberg proposal, "which is why the decision has been postponed until January". (GMM)
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Replies (16)
Login to replyjuju_hound
Posts: 180
This sounds Robert's camp is desperate to get the seat. It is said "If he does not convince Williams (during the 7 races), Sirotkin will replace the Pole,". So what happens if he convince the team? He will have to pay 20 milion for season?
Savio
Posts: 145
it looks like he believes in his skills very much
kngrthr
Posts: 203
they have several months to conjure up more
krommenaas
Posts: 155
If he can prove himself in those 7 races, new sponsors may step up, or he may find a seat for 2018 elsewhere. In the worst case, it ends after 7 races, which is still better than nothing.
talktohenry
Posts: 362
Only normal to pay for a seat to get back in and that's a good idea as you get to compare both drivers.
Danimal5981
Posts: 574
Old news. I wrote that yesterday ago in response to the Rotenberg article.
And again, it does not say anything about the loss of money to the insurance (Kubica) or how much money Martini decides to retract (Sirotkin). In simple language, Martini favours this Kubica-Rosberg deal because of the brand-exposure. Signing Sirotkin is much like 'Palmer pt 2' - lots of money, lots of anonymous drives.
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
Not one bit surprised. If this is true then Kubica's pace wasn't good enough that's why Williams aren't ready to pay him. If now he has to pay to get a ride it is time he calls it a day and move on. Why risk damaging his old name when the team aren't even confident in his abilities. Desperation is not always good, his situation isn't that of a rookie trying to get a break.
Barron
Posts: 625
Agree...
Orchide
Posts: 82
Probably taken out by K-mag in 3 of those races.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Disgusting that it's gotten to this at Williams. They pretty much refuse to employ anyone who is not a pay-driver. What an embarrassment of a team. Not even a shadow of what they used to be.
Barron
Posts: 625
They’re doing what they have to do to survive at the top level. Williams exist for racing and it’s not as if they could just pack up and do something else, plus (and everyone forgets this) they have shareholders to answer to. It’s an appallingly difficult balancing act which I’m sure Williams detests as much as we do..
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Thats all very well Barron, the problem with that argument is that they have scored good profits for multiple years in a row, and 2017 wasnt an exception as far as I've read. If they've profitted, they have more money to spend on both the car and on choosing at least one driver without milking it dry. They arent just a team either: Williams are a major player in developing sports car components of all sorts. Its nice that they want to survive, but they are certainly not racing at top level. They lost that momentum last year, and have some catching up to do. If they want to continue to be in F1 and make serious money in F1, they need to invest.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Exactly. No other team has a worst development rate during the season. Force India has a smaller budget, same engine provider and look what they are capable of. Those are the two extremes on excellence and mediocrity. At this point they are in Formula one like Massa for the last several years... To add numbers up. Now they are potentially going to have two pay drivers. One clearly without outstanding talent, the other well... A rookie.
Niids
Posts: 43
There are rumors that CVC Capital Partners will support Kubica with some more $, increasing his dowry up to ca. 11M.
juju_hound
Posts: 180
CVC is the owner of one of polish fast-markets called Frog. The chairman of the company is amateur really driver
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
It's a good move by Rosberg. All the drivers pay one way or another but if Kubica scores more points than Stroll next year in 7 races, or what he did last year, either of which shouldn't be hard for him, that's money in the bank for Williams in the constructor's race. If they had more money and confidence in their car and engineers they would just get rid of Stroll. Kubica is taking a risk losing his insurance money but Rosberg is a smart guy and knows it's a calculated risk. He wouldn't be trying to make such a deal if he thought it was a losing proposition.