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Robert Kubica says that despite missing out on a race seat for the 2018 season, his years of hard work have paid off. The Pole has taken on his first official Formula 1 role since he was forced to halt his F1 career back in 2011 due to a horror rally crash.
The rally accident resulted in a partial amputation of Kubica's arm. While it was once believed he would never drive an F1 car again, Kubica was recently confirmed as Williams' test and development driver for the 2018 season. The 33-year-old took part in tests with the Grove team and Renault in 2017 in an attempt to come back to F1.
Kubica admits that he is disappointed to have missed out on the race seat, but is looking at the wider picture: "When you are getting close there is high risk that it will not work out," Kubica told ESPN. "But you have to look at the wider picture. The last 12 months of my life have been very positive, nobody was expecting myself to be in a position to drive an F1 car, nobody was thinking that I would be having this opportunity.
"Of course when you are so close you always hope to have a happy end. In some way I was hoping to have a drive, but the most important point of the last year was it gave me confidence I could do it - physically, mentally, all my work which I have done in the last years, where I'm coming from a very difficult period, has paid off.
"So more satisfactions, deeper satisfactions, rather than just thinking 'I didn't make it'. All this situation, there are far more positives than negatives. Of course, I admit I was hoping I would get the drive but I see things more globally, the wider angles. I can still see it as a positive."
Williams confirmed that Kubica would take part in three free practice sessions throughout the year as part of his role. The 2008 Candian Grand Prix winner says that it will be very important for his position to include opportunities to drive the car on the track.
"If you think where I was 12 months ago nobody was thinking I would be here, nobody was thinking I would be in a position to fight for a Formula 1 team. Everything can change very quickly so for me it was important to get opportunities to drive. I'm happy to be part of the Williams team in this role, which is not really a standard third driver, reserve driver role where you go to races and don't do anything.
"It was important for me to get opportunities to drive because only by driving I can maybe achieve - I say maybe because you never know in your life - the possibility to achieve the final goal. Last year gave me a big boost on believing it's possible but that doesn't mean it will happen but at least I know it is worth to try it."
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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Replies (3)
Login to replySavio
Posts: 145
only Kubica!
Barron
Posts: 625
Be honest guys, he’s made an amazing come-back. It may not be an actual seat but he’s proved his worth and I’m happy for him. Please note, he’s not at all disappointed at the outcome and things can change through the season. Welcome back Robert!!
reg
Posts: 162
With those FP1 drives he will have the opportunity to prove how fast he really is!
Its all down to him then!