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Briatore 'very sorry' Kubica comeback failed

Published on 04 Jan 2018 14:13
22
By: Fergal Walsh

Former Renault boss Flavio Briatore has expressed sorrow over Robert Kubica's apparent failed comeback to Formula 1. The Pole has been working throughout 2017 to make a return to the grid after a life-threatening rally accident in 2011.

After a number of tests with Renault, the French team decided to sign Carlos Sainz for 2018, leaving Kubica to instead focus on a Williams drive. However, it is now believed that GP2 race winner Sergey Sirotkin is set to be announced as Felipe Massa's replacement.

"I'm very sorry that Kubica did not manage to convince Williams," Briatore said to Speed Week. "I have talked to Nico Rosberg [Kubica's co-manager] several times and know that everything has been tried, but the Russian has an enormous budget. We're talking about 20 million. Kubica could muster between seven and ten."

Kubica has attracted a large following in his attempted comeback, and Briatore is sorry that the fairytale may not come true: "I'm very sorry about that," he said. "If Robert had returned to F1, it would have been a major success for the sport. I find it very strange that the F1 leadership did not lend him a helping hand."

Fergal Walsh

Barron

Posts: 625

Well now, if he feels that strongly about it, why doesn’t he dip his dirty hands into his own pockets and pull out some of that $150 million he’s reckoned to be worth and back Robert himself. Yeah he’s sorry about it, because he couldn’t make a percentage out of Roberts struggles. I wish ... [Read more]

2
Jan 4 2018 - 18:16

F1 News Felipe Massa Nico Rosberg Sergey Sirotkin Robert Kubica Williams Renault

Replies (22)

denis1304

Posts: 284
"I find it very strange that the F1 leadership did not lend him a helping hand. "

HOW??? if only money talks.
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- Jan 4 2018 - 15:06
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
There goes Briatore again, blabbing his mouth like no tomorrow. Im pretty sure he is for once correct, but again, lets wait until the official announcement.
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- Jan 4 2018 - 15:39
f1dave

Posts: 782
Says the race fixing manager who was "banned for life" just a few years ago.
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- Jan 4 2018 - 15:56
Pauli

Posts: 140
If I remember correctly 10-13 mil revenue is about equal to 3 places in the constructor championship. Is there any driver who can improve results that much alone? (remember that extra revenue upfront allows a bit larger investment to car which often results a bit faster car)
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- Jan 4 2018 - 16:08
- boudy
  
  Posts: 1,168
  Williams has always had this type of structure, it's a company providing racecars to drivers so this makes perfect sense to sign him up. As far I know he was quick anyway and KUB is an unknown without the financial award.
  
  STR will not easily beat his team mate.
  
  I wonder what Flavio had todo with KUB?
  + 1
  
  Jan 4 2018 - 16:17
- juju_hound
  
  Posts: 180
  Kubica is very popular in Italy since he started his pro racing career over there with karting and then with other series. Robert was quite close with Renault at the end of his F1 career and last year testing.
  + 0
  
  Jan 4 2018 - 17:38
Barron

Posts: 625
Well now, if he feels that strongly about it, why doesn’t he dip his dirty hands into his own pockets and pull out some of that $150 million he’s reckoned to be worth and back Robert himself. Yeah he’s sorry about it, because he couldn’t make a percentage out of Roberts struggles. I wish he’d just go away..
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- Jan 4 2018 - 18:16
Kevin

Posts: 5,350
Sirotkin being favoured over Kubica shows how rotten this sport is. It’s a joke.
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- Jan 4 2018 - 18:35
- Kevin
  
  Posts: 5,350
  And to add to that, I wish Williams would completely disappear. I’ve seen too many of these shenanigans. Can’t be bothered anymore about the fate of what was once a great team.
  + 1
  
  Jan 4 2018 - 18:37
- BENNY DONKER
  
  Posts: 1,976
  I agree, Kevin. Williams Grand Prix is Formula 1's whorehouse these days, with Claire the whore lady...
  + 0
  
  Jan 4 2018 - 19:28
- krommenaas
  
  Posts: 155
  Ah how easy it is to stand on the sidelines and yell about things you don't understand. I'm sure you'd all fire 50 engineers in a heartbeat just to get a driver who's a fraction quicker.
  + 0
  
  Jan 5 2018 - 09:13
- RenaultFM1
  
  Posts: 100
  You cannot blame Williams. Blame the polish sponsors or lack of same. Sergey Sirotkin is young and not slow.
  + 0
  
  Jan 5 2018 - 09:25
mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332
10 less millions, but great publicity. Williams let themselves down in the greed department. So, they will have two in experienced paid drivers for 2018.
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- Jan 4 2018 - 18:56
BENNY DONKER

Posts: 1,976
Sirotkin ACTS like he has an enormous budget. He did the same in his Sauber-days. Just ask Monisha Kaltenborn how many rubles she ever received. I think the ammount will be close to zero!
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- Jan 4 2018 - 19:25
- Kean
  
  Posts: 692
  Yeah, Williams are dealing with a russian oligarch... so maybe they'll get shafted.
  + 0
  
  Jan 4 2018 - 21:52
f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
I feel Sirotkin will receive a lot of unnecessary hate
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- Jan 4 2018 - 19:50
- Kean
  
  Posts: 692
  If he performs, maybe not. Still Ericsson is likely to beat him in the getting-hate-department
  + 0
  
  Jan 4 2018 - 21:51
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Yeah, but Im pretty sure Stroll will remain the king in that regard.
  + 1
  
  Jan 4 2018 - 22:48
- Kean
  
  Posts: 692
  @Calle, you've got a point
  + 0
  
  Jan 4 2018 - 22:57
Kean

Posts: 692
I can’t help but think that this is part of a long term plan for Williams. The way I see it Williams has a history (at least the last 10-12 years or so) of having at least one pay driver, sometimes they’ve had two (Maldonado/Senna, Maldonado/Bottas (yes, Bottas brings sponsorship)). The year after they’ve had two pay drivers, or the year after they’ve ended their contract with a major engine supplier, they’ve had two non-paying drivers. In 2006 they had Webber and Rosberg, after ending it with BMW, and in 2010 they had Barrichello and Hulkenberg, after ending their partnership with Toyota which saw them contracting Nakajima. After milking Maldonado for 3 years, they could hire Massa (which cost them 6 million dollars per year). That year and the following, 2014-2015, they made it high up in the constructors, which enabled them to hold on to Massa. Now they’ve slipped and need to find money elsewhere. Also, I think Paddy realised early that it was going to take him longer to produce a competitive enough car at Williams than he originally thought (having gotten used to the Mercedes organization), so maybe their target is 2019 and in the meantime they’re milking every dollar, pound and euro they can out of Stroll and whoever else is the 2nd highest bidder after Stroll. Jeez.. long post. Basically what I’m saying I think they’ll dump Stroll or Sirotkin at the end of 2018, and in 2019 they’ll hire someone pundits will call a talent.
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- Jan 4 2018 - 22:57
Rindtchamp

Posts: 304
Yeah, this is a huge shame and I'm willing to bet Williams will come to regret their decision of going with two pay drivers. jeez, what has happened to that once great team.
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- Jan 5 2018 - 00:50
- boudy
  
  Posts: 1,168
  If you look at the history of Williams than there is a general theme on why Frank started the company and how he got into F1. The current regime is following in that vain.
  
  I think Claire is doing an excellent job. Keeping an company like Williams going in such an competitive market is extremely difficult without support of an major manufacturer.
  + 0
  
  Jan 5 2018 - 10:23