3
Robert Kubica says he can only apologise after almost collecting Max Verstappen when exiting his pit box during the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Verstappen pitted from the lead of the race one lap after Lewis Hamilton made his first stop of the day, with the Red Bull driver looking to keep his advantage and avoid being undercut.
As he approached the end of the pit lane, Kubica, who was also being serviced, was issued to leave his pit box and rejoin the track.
Verstappen was forced to turn towards the wall and brake to avoid making contact with Kubica, and found himself behind Hamilton when he rejoined the track.
The Pole received a five-second time penalty for the unsafe release, which he labelled as the "correct punishment".
"That is the rule, the punishment was correct since I was released in front of another car," he said. "It's a pity because I know what it's like when you're in the lead and such things shouldn't happen, especially when we're [Williams] only fighting with each ourselves.
"I can only apologize, I couldn't do anything. I had no idea he was coming."
Kubica was also hit with two penalty points, the first that he has picked up this season.
As Robert's fan since beginning of 90's when he was driving in low categories it's really a big relief knowing he is leaving F1. It's hard to watch him being behind 1 lap with everybody. I will cross my fingers anyway at the last race cause I'm doing that since so many years, thanking him for all glory days (Canada 2008 !!) and being for good or bad.
Bad days are now but I believe Gerhard Berger will convince him to join DTM as he mentioned some days ago.
He isn't to blame in this case. Team released him, he has to trust them.
These things happen.
End of story.
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
United Arab Emirates
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
756,521 comments on Red Bull Racing
968 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Max Verstappen
158,025 comments on Williams 39 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Williams
JuJuHound
Posts: 352
As Robert's fan since beginning of 90's when he was driving in low categories it's really a big relief knowing he is leaving F1. It's hard to watch him being behind 1 lap with everybody. I will cross my fingers anyway at the last race cause I'm doing that since so many years, thanking him for all... [Read more]