Christian Horner has said that Robert Kubica is convinced he will return to the sport after 6 years out of F1. With Kubica performing testing duties for Renault today, everything seems to be pointing to one of the most unlikely returns to F1 that there has ever been.
Kubica is said to eying up under pressure Jolyon Palmer’s drive, maybe even before the season is finished, and much will depend on his ability to cope with the 2017 cars over the space of a full run of laps on a twisty circuit which will probably test his hampered hand more than most other places on the calendar. Renault however were coy on when or if Kubica will return, only saying "We want to help Robert on his road back and maybe open a door for him. There is no more”
Kubica was one of the top drivers in F1 before his accident in 2011, having challenged for the championship in 2008 in the third best car on the grid, and dragging a midfield car in the 2010 season to podiums at two of the premier driving tracks on the calendar, in Spa and Monaco. He is also admired by the top drivers of today as one of the premier drivers of the time, with Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton particularly marking him as their equal or even superior.
Christian Horner said in regards to Kubica’s return that he is certain of returning to the grid, saying: "Hungary is one of the toughest circuits, If you can drive here, you can drive anywhere. He seems absolutely committed and firmly convinced about his comeback”
Lewis Hamilton also commented on his return, saying:"I'm really happy that Robert is getting this opportunity and I'll keep an eye on how he goes, It would be great if he was able to come back. He is one of the most natural talents and fastest drivers I have ever driven against, and if he was able to continue, he probably would have been champion,"
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Replies (8)
Login to replytalktohenry
Posts: 362
He doesn't look very fit and looks like he has a hangover 24/7 to me so not sure he has the fitness either!
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Nevermind what he looks like, does he set decent laptimes compared to Palmer should be the main concern. If he does set such times, he could very well be an option, even with that arm of his. As for him being fit: he works out about as much as the current F1 drivers, so Im pretty sure that should not be a problem.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
what a stupid comment.
renaultFanF1
Posts: 80
F1 driver needs to be fast, not pretty
Alonzo
Posts: 66
I would not take the risk if I were Renault, if he crashes & hurts himself or another F! driver, what then? Legal risk too high if u ask me, Renault, Liberty Media, FIA end up getting sued, Good story, no question about that....
UKing
Posts: 1
It seems you dont not know who Kubica is and where he was racing during last 6 years. Btw I am sure Kubica won't be crashing as often as Palmer so this will benefit Renaut a lot.
I am getting impression that for Palmer day without damaging his car or crash is a lost day. In terms of risk, F1 is all about risk. If you want sport without a risk stay at home and play crossword.
Smiler121
Posts: 53
We live in an extremely health & safety obsessed world, I'm pretty certain a company as big as Renault will be pretty confident he is capable & meets all required standards before they let him loose in a race, if his talent can allow him to equal or beat younger guys almost one handed after years away surely it would be dumb not to let him have a proper go!!!
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
May be a podium if not a win the process will be a great story to remember.