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Alfa Romeo plans 'four or five' FP1 outings for Kubica in 2020

Published on 14 Jul 2020 10:42
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By: Fergal Walsh

Alfa Romeo is aiming to get Robert Kubica in the C39 car for “four or five” free practice sessions this year following his first outing at the Styrian Grand Prix.

After signing as Alfa Romeo's reserve driver for 2020, Kubica debuted the car at pre-season testing before the new season was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As well as his duties for Alfa Romeo, Kubica has signed to race full-time in the DTM championship, with the new season getting underway in just over two weeks' time at Spa-Francorchamps.

Four out of the nine DTM rounds confirmed clash with F1 weekends, meaning Kubica will not be available for Alfa Romeo at the British, Spanish, Italian and Tuscan Grands Prix.

Despite the revised schedules that have tightened up motorsport calendars this year, Alfa Romeo still plans to run Kubica at a handful of free practice sessions this year.

“We plan to do four or five sessions during the season but the issue with the new calendar is that we have also to reschedule everything,” said Alfa Romeo team principal Frederic Vasseur.

“He is racing in DTM also, it means we have to find solutions but we will do it. I think it’s a great added value for the team in terms of understanding of the car and he’s bringing a nice contribution.”

Kubica joined Alfa Romeo after spending two years at Williams, the last of which saw him carry out duties as a full-time driver alongside George Russell.

The Pole ended FP1 at the Styrian Grand Prix in 18th place, four-tenths down on Kimi Raikkonen in the sister car.

ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475

He purchased them with his Orlen sponsorship. I love Robert Kubica, but it's the true. There is no reason to have an old driver with no chance of getting a seat taking testing time from current or young drivers.

1
Jul 14 2020 - 20:17

F1 News Robert Kubica Frédéric Vasseur Alfa Romeo

Replies (6)

f1dave

Posts: 782
Why ? He is the slowest guy out there, consistently beaten by even the rookies.
- + 0
- Jul 14 2020 - 15:47
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  He purchased them with his Orlen sponsorship. I love Robert Kubica, but it's the true. There is no reason to have an old driver with no chance of getting a seat taking testing time from current or young drivers.
  + 1
  
  Jul 14 2020 - 20:17
MarkZ

Posts: 31
That's why there's never any room for up and comers.
- + 0
- Jul 14 2020 - 18:03
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  Yeah... Alfa is probably the worst offender in that category. Ferrari have, for the first time in their history, a pretty promising junior academy. Instead of having young promising drivers testing or driving they have :
  
  (1) Kimi Raikkonen, a guy who peaked more than 10 years ago and has been sloping down since. A guy who also gets paid way better than other superior midfield drivers
  
  (2) Antonio Giovinazzi: At least he's young, but he's had plenty of opportunity to show promise in F1 and he's clearly no better than midfield material at best
  
  (3) Robert Kubica: Very exciting driver in his time, but clearly unable to be even a midfield driver these days. Ther is a 0% chance that he will get an F1 seat again
  + 1
  
  Jul 14 2020 - 20:21
- Kean
  
  Posts: 692
  I say put Hulkenberg in there instead of Raikkönen, and a rookie like Shwartzman instead of Giovinazzi. If Stroll stabs Perez in the back and offers his seat to Vettel next year, Alfa should pair Hulk and Perez in that team.
  + 0
  
  Jul 15 2020 - 10:58
Pistonhead

Posts: 556
Why? Even Latifi would beat him - not getting this??
- + 0
- Jul 15 2020 - 22:56