Williams: "Kubica could be considered for 2019"
- Published on 22 Jan 2018 13:01
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Robert Kubica could now be a contender to race for Williams in 2019. The British team's technical boss and shareholder Paddy Lowe said he does not regret assessing the Pole's capabilities in a series of tests, even though Kubica was ultimately given only the reserve driver role.
"We organised a serious test programme for him and we will continue this process of assessing him," Lowe is quoted by Russia's Championat. "Let's see where this leads." When asked if the former BMW and Renault driver could race in 2019, Lowe answered: "Yes, perhaps."
However, there still may be no place for Kubica. Team CEO Mike O'Driscoll is quoted as saying by Russian media: "We do not divulge the details, but the contract with Sergey (Sirotkin) is for several seasons. Together with Paddy, I want Williams to become world champions once again and Sergey is a part of that," he added.
O'Driscoll is quoted by Sport-Express as saying that Sirotkin's greatest strength is his "consistency". "In the tests he was incredibly consistent," he said. "Yes, many tracks are unfamiliar to him, but Sirotkin is very talented and a fast learner."
Many believe it was Sirotkin's big backing by the Russian bank SMP that gave him precedence over Kubica. But SMP boss Boris Rotenberg insists: "Money is an important component, but Sirotkin is at Williams not because of money but because of the sporting factor. We are investing our money in technology instead," he told Tass news agency.
McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne also backed Sirotkin. "Williams made a very good choice," he told La Derniere Heure newspaper. "I competed against Sergey and he is a very good and very fast driver who works hard," the Belgian said. "He's faster than many believe." Williams' Lowe agrees: "It is important that the drivers squeeze the last tenths from the car, and I can tell you that Sergey is very smart and very fast."
SMP racing director Dmitry Samorukov confirmed that Sirotkin's contract is for multiple years. "We cannot disclose that information in detail, but it's one year or more," he told Sportbox. "Everything will depend on how Sergey will prove himself this year." (GMM)
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Replies (12)
Login to replyOrchide
Posts: 82
Using Kubica to put some pressure on Stroll. They want more money...
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Dont they all? Mind, 2018 is Stroll's second year in F1. I think we'll be able to fairly asses whether he is F1 material or not. 'sides, while Williams do care an awful lot about cash, remember that they axed Maldonado, a guy with PDVSA sponsorship. They will likely not retain a legit mediocre driver just for the money.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
It'll be interesting to see how Stroll does this year. Sirotkin has been okay from what I've seen of him, but not spectacular.
Logic would dictate that Stroll should have the upper hand until at least the summer break. But for some reason, I'm still expecting Sirotkin to outperform him rather quickly.
I'm wondering what Williams will consider passable from Stroll relative to Sirotkin.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
In terms of success in other series, Stroll has a significant upper hand, with three titles to his name. But of course, that doesnt necessarily translate to F1 success.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
Right, but as I understand it, most of his wins in other series' were sort of like Wehrlein's DTM championship. Haven't really looked into it myself, so I'm not sure.
Either way, I've only really been impressed with him one time last year, that was in Baku. I thought the pressure would get to him, but he kept a cool head.
I've seen some good stuff from Sirotkin. But if it'll translate to F1 is anyone's guess.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Could be, I have no idea about that, but three titles are still three titles. I think that he all in all did an okay job, I mean there wasnt a big difference in scored points between Stroll and Massa, but he needs to step it up this year if he want to remain in F1.
krommenaas
Posts: 155
Calle.itw: didn't Williams sack Maldonado precisely because his sponsorship deal fell through due to the crises in Venezuela?
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
@krommenaas As shocking as you may think it is, Maldonado was not fired. Even after accusing his own mechanics of sabotaging his car. Williams would have kept him because he had PDVSA money. But Maldonado went to Lotus-Renault by choice. It was even considered a step up at the time (also shocking).
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Kubica just needs to get out of Williams. No wheel has turned in 2018 and they are already putting pressure on their drivers. Williams is not a racing team that exists to win, it's a corporation designed to make money that happens to have a pet project (Williams F1). It's not like Kubica has zero backing. He just didn't have Russian oligarch kind of money. If Kubica is properly fit, there is no reason he can't get a seat next year somewhere else
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I agree to some degree, but problem is, where should he go? Sauber has a long line of Ferrari drivers after them, same for HAAS, Force India is sorta stacked, Renault already have a very solid lineup, Ferrari are pleased with their drivers (officially), as are Mercedes and Red Bull, Toro Rosso are limited to Red Bull drivers, and McLaren doesnt look like a likely prospect. If he absolutely want to be in F1 (I for one would love to have him in Super GT or WEC otherwise), this is his only way in. For now.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
@CALLE.ITW it's true, and we also have a good number of promising rookies. I'm not worried about what he can get outside of F1, he'll be more than fine. I just would have loved to see what he could do in an F1 car.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Same, but on a more bright note: he'll have test outings, so he can fle his muscles during those sessions. If the numbers are good, it'll increase the likelihood of him getting a seat. And it'll be good promotional material for any time that accept him.