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Kubica cautious about Williams' 2019 prospects

Published on 31 Jan 2019 10:44
4
By: Coilin Higgins

Williams' 2019 driver Robert Kubica says he will remain cautious about the season that awaits the team in 2019. Williams is desperate to return competitiveness after a disastrous 2018 campaign saw it finish last in the constructors' championship with only seven points.

Kubica will step up from his development driver role to race for the team in 2019 and will partner Formula 2 champion George Russell. The driver pairing means that Williams has an all-new line up for this season, with the departure of 2018 drivers Sergey Sirotkin and Lance Stroll.

"The situation of Williams is not easy. I’m very cautious and realistic," Kubica stated at a recent sponsorship event in Poland. "In winter every team is building a new car. We are also building a new car, we're finishing its production."

"The design of the car is very important and it’s very difficult to make up for a bad car. The team has drawn conclusions from its mistakes last year, so I think that's going to make things easier for us. In terms my co-operation and my technical contribution to the team, I'll do my best to put my best foot forward," he added.

Kubica returns to F1 after an eight year break due to sustaining life threatening injuries in an accident at the Ronde di Andora rally in 2011. Prior to his accident, he had raced for Sauber and Renault and took his only win at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix, after he was dubbed as a future star of the sport.

Kubica returned to professional racing with stints in the World Rally Championship with Citroen and Ford throughout 2012 and 2013, but believed a return to F1 was not possible given the extent of his lasting arm injuries. However, a 2017 test with Renault convinced Kubica to push for a return, and after a stint with Williams in 2018 as a development and reserve driver, he makes his eagerly awaited return to the grid this season.

F1 News Robert Kubica Renault Williams

Replies (4)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Im very certain they'll be bottom fragging during 2019. I just dont think they are undergoing the kinda changes McLaren is going through, and Im very sure the results will mirror that.
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- Jan 31 2019 - 21:17
- F1todayfan101
  
  Posts: 120
  Absolutely no doubt about it. Unless another team makes some catestrophic errors or has an unbearably unreliable car, Williams will be plumb last. The drivers have no chance
  + 0
  
  Jan 31 2019 - 22:29
Vega23

Posts: 17
This will be the first Williams offering under the stewardship of Paddy Lowe, I hope that will have helped, given that last year there was a fair amount or deckchair rearranging going on.. not expecting great things either, but hopefully they will be a little more competitive.. This could make or break paddy's reputation post Merc though
- + 0
- Jan 31 2019 - 23:21
- maalibu
  
  Posts: 17
  Its make or break for Paddy and Robert. They will Rock or Suck nothing in Between.
  + 0
  
  Feb 1 2019 - 12:04