Kubica back in an F1 car

Kubica back in an F1 car

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Discussion

KevinCamaroSS

11,619 posts

280 months

Saturday 22nd July 2017
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M-SportMatt said:
Im sure it is, and is of interest to me also. No doubt he was highly rated as many are quoted as saying so, however there weren't any results to back this up apart from 4 seasons of matching Heidfeld and one season of destroying Petrov which to be fair wasn't hard.

I genuinely hope he does well and it would be good to see him complete his journey, but mercurial talent ranking alongside hamilton/vettel, best of a generation and all that jazz, no evidence to suggest this at all.
What makes you think Vettel is a 'mercurial talent'? He absolutely has to have a car that works in one specific way. Without that he is nowhere. Proof of this is his last year at RB when he was walked all over by Daniel Ricciardo.

Vaud

50,418 posts

155 months

Saturday 22nd July 2017
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KevinCamaroSS said:
What makes you think Vettel is a 'mercurial talent'? He absolutely has to have a car that works in one specific way. Without that he is nowhere. Proof of this is his last year at RB when he was walked all over by Daniel Ricciardo.
Or this year where he is beating Kimi and matching Hamilton?

HustleRussell

24,637 posts

160 months

Saturday 22nd July 2017
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KevinCamaroSS said:
What makes you think Vettel is a 'mercurial talent'? He absolutely has to have a car that works in one specific way. Without that he is nowhere. Proof of this is his last year at RB when he was walked all over by Daniel Ricciardo.
I don't think he's on level with the very top drivers, but I don't think this is true.

M-SportMatt

1,923 posts

138 months

Saturday 22nd July 2017
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KevinCamaroSS said:
What makes you think Vettel is a 'mercurial talent'? He absolutely has to have a car that works in one specific way. Without that he is nowhere. Proof of this is his last year at RB when he was walked all over by Daniel Ricciardo.
Motivation is key in F1, you can't extract the last ounce of performance without it. Seb has his issues that year, Danny Ric is for me one of the Top Top drivers on the grid too.



Z064life

1,926 posts

248 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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M-SportMatt said:
Take a look at this results?
Winning makes a champion, but you don't need to be winning to be a great driver. You can have a crap car, but push it to its limits and get good results. Kubica did this with the Renault in qualifying and races, which shows his ability. Verstappen isn't winning every grand prix and sitting on pole, but doesn't detract from his ability. He probably never untapped his full potential in the time he was in F1 but he was definately up and coming, not in obscurity.

I like Kubica's attitude. He sounds like he knows it will be very hard to get back into F1, but he will not short cut into it or rush a return - so he is honest with his abilities. If he says he is close to ready, he probably is. F1 is about the best drivers, not the youngest. And I think it will be great PR and a money making opportunity for whichever team signs him up - IF he is ready. I like the idea that he is using a simulator and applying weights, shows how determined he is.


I wouldn't say he was particularly crash prone, either.

Dal3D

1,176 posts

151 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/40703059

Robert Kubica's return from life-changing injuries will take a step up when he drives a 2017 Renault at a test in Hungary on 2 August.

The 32-year-old Pole has not raced in Formula 1 since a horrific rally crash in 2011 left him with only partial movement in his right arm.

The test, Kubica's third for Renault, is described by the team as "a new phase in assessing [his] capabilities".

It will increase speculation about an impending - and remarkable - comeback.

Kubica's F1 career appeared to be over when he suffered multiple fractures and a partially severed right arm in the February 2011 crash, which happened a few weeks before he was due to start his second season with Renault.

He had previously driven for BMW Sauber, winning the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix, and was considered one of the sport's brightest talents - rated by some in a similar bracket to multiple world champions Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

Cold

Original Poster:

15,236 posts

90 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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Sniff Petrol said:
It's official, Renault reckon Jolyon Palmer isn't as good as a man with a broken hand.

KevinCamaroSS

11,619 posts

280 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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Vaud said:
KevinCamaroSS said:
What makes you think Vettel is a 'mercurial talent'? He absolutely has to have a car that works in one specific way. Without that he is nowhere. Proof of this is his last year at RB when he was walked all over by Daniel Ricciardo.
Or this year where he is beating Kimi and matching Hamilton?
In a car where his is number 1 in the team and has a car designed to meet his requirements.

Would you compare his skills to that of Alonso? I do not, nor to Ricciardo or Hamilton. As far as that goes I actually think Webber was better than Vettel, Webber lost out as he was not a RB program driver. Marko wanted Vettel to win.

patmahe

5,745 posts

204 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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As much as I'd love to see Robert back in F1, if I was in Renault's position I don't think I'd be taking the risk. Long term 3-5 years, Renault plan to be at championship winning pace, they have an excellent driver in Hulkenberg and in my opinion need to take a chance on a couple of younger drivers and assess them.

Most F1 drivers retire in their mid-late 30s which is the age Robert will be in 3-5 years, right when Renault plan to be properly competitive. I think I'd rather have 3 young drivers chomping at the bit, drivers that I've assessed and nurtured to be a perfect fit for my team.

All that said I'd love Robert to come back prove me wrong and win 3 world titles for Renault. But it comes down to whether you'd be prepared to take that gamble.

Vaud

50,418 posts

155 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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patmahe said:
As much as I'd love to see Robert back in F1, if I was in Renault's position I don't think I'd be taking the risk. Long term 3-5 years, Renault plan to be at championship winning pace, they have an excellent driver in Hulkenberg and in my opinion need to take a chance on a couple of younger drivers and assess them.

Most F1 drivers retire in their mid-late 30s which is the age Robert will be in 3-5 years, right when Renault plan to be properly competitive. I think I'd rather have 3 young drivers chomping at the bit, drivers that I've assessed and nurtured to be a perfect fit for my team.

All that said I'd love Robert to come back prove me wrong and win 3 world titles for Renault. But it comes down to whether you'd be prepared to take that gamble.
It's a low gamble. If he is fit then put him in the car for the balance of the year and rest Palmer. If he performs then give him a 1+1 contract.

PhillipM

6,517 posts

189 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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The other upside for Renault is Kubica was known for giving great, reliable feedback on changes on the car, and given they're having a massive development push for next few years, that might be as valuable as finding the next Verstappen would be.

cuprabob

14,573 posts

214 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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Whatever the outcome it's good PR for Renault. All the journalists are talking about this and not about Palmer's car failing most weekends.



VGTICE

1,003 posts

87 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Alonso likes(ed) Kubica. So if Renault was to sign Alonso for 2018 Kubica could be a good match for him, competent driver who could support Fernando and team developing the car, and possibly score many points.

rival38

486 posts

145 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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I read elsewhere that Kubica has been impressive in the 2017 simulator, posting times that better Hulk as well as Palmer. No idea if true or under what conditions though.

I always liked Kubica, his focus and determination are extremely easy to admire. For me he was streets ahead of Heidfeld - he had that certain something that makes an exciting racer. Canada 2018 saw him on the top step after a drive, that many felt, made Heidfeld look rather ordinary. Statistics be damned! I would rather watch Kubica on any Sunday afternoon.

If the Hungary test goes well.... will Renault be able to resist the temptation of putting him in the car for Spa? I hope not.

M-SportMatt

1,923 posts

138 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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rival38 said:
For me he was streets ahead of Heidfeld - .
Apart from the 4 seasons they were in the same car he wasn't demonstrably better you mean?

If it works this way then great....

For me Emanuelle Pirro was far better than Prost

Frimley111R

15,615 posts

234 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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"Robert is someone we could be envisaging for next year. It's clear that we have to look at options for the future," Abiteboul told NBC Sports at the British GP.

Well that's not about Hulk is it?!

oyster

12,589 posts

248 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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KevinCamaroSS said:
Vaud said:
KevinCamaroSS said:
What makes you think Vettel is a 'mercurial talent'? He absolutely has to have a car that works in one specific way. Without that he is nowhere. Proof of this is his last year at RB when he was walked all over by Daniel Ricciardo.
Or this year where he is beating Kimi and matching Hamilton?
In a car where his is number 1 in the team and has a car designed to meet his requirements.

Would you compare his skills to that of Alonso? I do not, nor to Ricciardo or Hamilton. As far as that goes I actually think Webber was better than Vettel, Webber lost out as he was not a RB program driver. Marko wanted Vettel to win.
You had a potential argument when comparing Vettel to Alonso and Hamilton. When, however, you then go on to say that Webber was better than Vettel, you really do shoot down your position.

Webber was, and still is, a terrific bloke and a mighty fine racing driver. But he was beaten 5-0 in head to heads with Vettel.

thiscocks

3,128 posts

195 months

Monday 31st July 2017
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Vaud said:
Or this year where he is beating Kimi and matching Hamilton?
Beating kimi! Lol. Hardly a claim to fame these days

Vaud

50,418 posts

155 months

Monday 31st July 2017
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thiscocks said:
Beating kimi! Lol. Hardly a claim to fame these days
What is your point?

MissChief

7,101 posts

168 months

Tuesday 1st August 2017
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Vaud said:
thiscocks said:
Beating kimi! Lol. Hardly a claim to fame these days
What is your point?
Vettel manages it every week, sometimes even when his car is broken.