Dubai: Robert Kubica was very much in spotlight as the two-day Pirelli tyre testing got under way at the Yas Marina Circuit following the conclusion of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Rumours are rife that Kubica would be filling in the void left by Brazilian Felipe Massa at the Williams team.
And Kubica’s presence, his first in the 2017 Williams car, has certainly taken the focus away from the likes of World Champion Lewis Hamilton, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas, McLaren’s beleaguered Fernando Alonso, and Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo, who are also making their final on-track appearances of the year.
The Polish driver is attempting to make a full-time return to F1 following extensive arm injuries he suffered in a 2011 rally crash — and he was pretty happy with the test.
“It was intense six hours in the car,” he said. “Yes, new car and new team, the atmosphere is very nice in the garage. This was the second time for me in 2017 car, so different car and a lot of new things.”
He added he tried to learn as much as possible from his 100 laps on the track on Tuesday.
“It is good to have a bit of time to rest and try to reorganise everything, try to analyse and understand what I learnt from today and put into place tomorrow,” said the 32-year-old, whose love for rallying almost ended his career six years ago. Kubica crashed in Italian rally in February 2011 and was trapped in the wreckage of his Skoda for more than an hour. His forearm was sewn back on and Kubica has had multiple surgeries since to try to gain more movement in his right wrist.
“It is not that 100 per cent I’m using my left hand as it would be tough to drive then,” he said. “I have some limitations and there is no secret about it. It is for sure more difficult to drive than it was seven years ago.”
He said the injuries have not affected his “consistency” which was clear from the 100 laps that he put in the first day of testing after not being in F1 for seven years.
“There are a lot of new things in the car and it is taking a lot of energy and everything doesn’t come naturally,” he said. “I have surprised myself honestly but it was not like I have been lying in my bed for six months and doing nothing.
“It has been a tough year for me outside of the car for preparation. I have tried to be prepared as best as I can and I can be satisfied with the fitness level. If I get a chance to drive for sure, it will get better. Staying in the car is the best exercise I can do.”
Kubica added that it was impossible to rate if he was at the same level as he was seven years before.
“If I was driving the car which I was using seven years before I would say I’m very much there,” he said. “But these cars are different and things have changed and it is like starting from scratch.
“Technically, I’m much more prepared than when I started in 2006. For sure, you need time to discover new things but I’m confident if there is any possibility I would take less time than when I started.”
Kubica has roped in 2016 Drivers’ Champion Nico Rosberg to his management team to help progress his return to racing.
“I know Nico for nearly 20 years and we have been competitors,” Kubica said. “It was good to get his point of view of his experience being there. I think we started together but roles have changed. Unfortunately I stopped racing and he being by my side is huge and surely he is also enjoying that role.”
Williams are keeping their cards close their chest and there is no confirmation as yet who would be their next driver. They will also be giving track time to Russian Renault reserve Sergey Sirotkin and retained Lance Stroll will also be in action during the testing. It is expected to be a straight shoot-out between Kubica and Sirotkin for the second drive for 2018.
“I’m happy as I was 12 months ago, when I was driving a six-hours race with my friend just for fun,” said Kubica. “Nobody expected I would have a chance to drive F1 cars. To being considered for or being in fight for a possible drive for next year is already a good achievement for me. Today looking forward a lot can happen but for now I have to be happy. Whatever the outcome will be I will take it, as what the future will bring, who knows?”
