Kubica: My brain told me this speed was not possible

  • Published on 26 Feb 2020 19:50
  • comments 6
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Robert Kubica says his brain couldn't comprehend the speed he was able to take through corners during Wednesday running in Barcelona.

The Pole topped the timesheet at the opening day of test two, clocking a 1:16.942 for Alfa Romeo - its fastest lap time so far during winter testing.

Kubica joined Alfa Romeo after spending a difficult year at Williams as a full-time driver, where he was stuck at the back of the field in a car that lacked pace.

Getting behind the wheel of C39 proved to be a positive experience for Kubica, as he enjoyed the encounter with a stronger car.

“I could feel I have more grip to deliver but my brain was saying ‘Until now, this was not possible’,” Kubica said. “So it took a couple of laps to unlock the real feeling.

“But there is one big friend in this paddock. There are not many friends, but there is one big friend – downforce. Once you have this, it’s helping a lot.”

Kubica added that Alfa Romeo experienced a handful of minor issues, however nothing that stopped it from completing a majority of its planned programme.

“We did have some small issues but fortunately, they didn’t affect us with completing, I would say 90% of our programme,” he stated.

“So all good. The feeling was good, it was already good last week. We have a few parts on the car, a few modifications and tweaks. So now we have to go through the data and understand them better.

”You can expect the conditions have a big effect so we have our homework to try and understand what we can carry on, what we can improve. The next two days are very important. They are the last two days before Australia.

“Hopefully we will be ready. We know realistically what we can do but we have to make sure we are doing the best from our side.”

When asked if he expects to drive the C39 again this year now that his pre-season duties have concluded, Kubica said: “Sooner or later I would expect so. But I don’t know when.”

Manto02

Posts: 93

Russell overrated? He won gp2 in front of Norris and Albon and we all seen what those two are capable of. Simply the rookies of last year were on another league confronted with the rookies of past years (with the exception of leclerc)

  • 2
  • Feb 27 2020 - 11:22

Replies (6)

Login to reply
  • Blakckh4wk

    Posts: 4

    I know that it was just testing and not race tempo, but it shows me and gives me hope that last year was just because Williams had barrow instead of a proper car. Nice to hear that Robert still can make good time in a car.

    • + 0
    • Feb 26 2020 - 22:04
    • I thought the same thing, but then it made me wonder about George Russell. Is he really super fast, or is it just a matter that the Williams care REALLY didn't fit Kubica's style and exaggerated his flaws? Whatever the case may be, I'm glad for Robert. I've said many times that based upon last year's performance he didn't belong in F1. I still don't think he proper fast, but this gives me hope that maybe I'm wrong.

      • + 1
      • Feb 26 2020 - 23:38
    • rev937

      Posts: 5

      @ ajpennypacker
      NO, no Russell is overrated driver. Williams spent all money and attention on Russell. They try so hard to promote him, and even refused to make a suitable steering wheel for Kubica. So how could Kubica show us what he can do if he was hold back by Williams ?

      • + 0
      • Feb 27 2020 - 09:42
    • Manto02

      Posts: 93

      Russell overrated? He won gp2 in front of Norris and Albon and we all seen what those two are capable of. Simply the rookies of last year were on another league confronted with the rookies of past years (with the exception of leclerc)

      • + 2
      • Feb 27 2020 - 11:22
    • rev937

      Posts: 5

      @ Manto02 Im not saying he is bad driver , Stroll won too in many series before F1 and what ? My point is that Russell didn't proved anything in F1 yet and from some reasons many try to make him super star -why ?

      • + 0
      • Feb 27 2020 - 11:53
  • "Don't give me hope..."

    • + 1
    • Feb 27 2020 - 06:12

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 04:12

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 04:12

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country PL
  • Date of b. Dec 7 1984 (40)
  • Place of b. Krakau, PL
  • Weight 72 kg
  • Length 1.83 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar