Kubica back in an F1 car
Discussion
Kubica likely to test for Williams in coming weeks:
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/kubica-set-test...
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/kubica-set-test...
rubystone said:
Swervin_Mervin said:
Maybe they're targetting 2019 for a Renault return - it seems Sainz is only signed up for next season.
Williams? Nope. Especially with Paddy Lowe there. Kubica would be a great story there but potentially a risk. They'd love Perez and his money though but he'll likely stay at Force India for 2018.There's been a flurry of media activity regarding Robert Kubica over the last few months. Many have said that his return to Formula 1 is just a dream, but why would Renault and Williams give him a test in a recent car? Surely if they weren't seriously considering him, they wouldn't waste all that time and money on a day's testing. Has anybody got an insight into this beyond mere speculation?
Europa Jon said:
There's been a flurry of media activity regarding Robert Kubica over the last few months. Many have said that his return to Formula 1 is just a dream, but why would Renault and Williams give him a test in a recent car? Surely if they weren't seriously considering him, they wouldn't waste all that time and money on a day's testing. Has anybody got an insight into this beyond mere speculation?
Prior to his accident, he was - rightly - considered as a rising star capable of winning championships (deliberate use of plural) and in the same league as Vettel and possibly even Hamilton and Alonso. Added to this was that he is Polish. Poland is considered a very high priority market for the motor industry both as a manufacturing base and from a market growth perspective as well as many other consumer brands.So Robert carried with him abundant talent and the financial clout (albeit indirectly, he wasn't a 'pay' driver IIRC) of the motor industry keen to capitalise upon the former to benefit the latter.
Had another similar Polish driver with the same level of talent cropped up, sadly, Kubica would likely be a footnote in the sports history books.
So, in short, there are a lot of people with vested interests keen to have a Polish driver complete at the sharp end of F1 and that the moment, their only hope is get Kubica back on the grid. I doubt very much Williams tested him out of the goodness of their hearts - though if any team would, they would.
Europa Jon said:
There's been a flurry of media activity regarding Robert Kubica over the last few months. Many have said that his return to Formula 1 is just a dream, but why would Renault and Williams give him a test in a recent car? Surely if they weren't seriously considering him, they wouldn't waste all that time and money on a day's testing. Has anybody got an insight into this beyond mere speculation?
Renault presenting Kubica with an opportunity to test was a gift to an old friend. Kubica wanted to know if he could drive an F1 car and Renault were happy to oblige out of goodwill. Of course with Palmer in the second car they knew they might have a seat to fill, but I don't think Kubica was a shoe-in for it and when it transpired they could get Saintz...Williams' willingness to test Kubica only really illustrates how limited their options are. Don't get me wrong, Kubica showed great talent in his first career, but...
HustleRussell said:
Williams' willingness to test Kubica only really illustrates how limited their options are. Don't get me wrong, Kubica showed great talent in his first career, but...
It would seem Renault (or indeed Kubica) had concerns after the previous Hungary test, so it will be interesting to see what comes of the Williams test there. I’m sure it’s no coincidence that it’s a circuit with a relatively slow hairpin.Either way it is amusing/concerning given the great F1 merry-go-round that Williams have ended up in a position where a guy still waiting to retire is currently their best option for next year, followed by a guy who only due to luck has raced once in F1 since 2013.
With Button and Rosberg retiring the experienced end of the driver market is very sparse indeed.
ukaskew said:
It would seem Renault (or indeed Kubica) had concerns after the previous Hungary test, so it will be interesting to see what comes of the Williams test there. I’m sure it’s no coincidence that it’s a circuit with a relatively slow hairpin.
Either way it is amusing/concerning given the great F1 merry-go-round that Williams have ended up in a position where a guy still waiting to retire is currently their best option for next year, followed by a guy who only due to luck has raced once in F1 since 2013.
With Button and Rosberg retiring the experienced end of the driver market is very sparse indeed.
Agree with HR here, also the market is indeed sparse for experienced drivers. This is surely because there is a limited shelf life for an F1 driver, lets say 10 years unless somebody like Max V who started younger. This means new talent has to be nurtured and brought up/in to fill the gaps left as the older drivers retire. Williams are constraining themselves somewhat with their team 'culture' and perceived requirements.Either way it is amusing/concerning given the great F1 merry-go-round that Williams have ended up in a position where a guy still waiting to retire is currently their best option for next year, followed by a guy who only due to luck has raced once in F1 since 2013.
With Button and Rosberg retiring the experienced end of the driver market is very sparse indeed.
Sa Calobra said:
I think Williams need to stop trotting Kubica out. It's not going to happen and they are getting media attention whoring from this.
Seems off what Williams are doing? Don't they have any options at all or would they prefer another paying driver?
When you narrow the field to:Seems off what Williams are doing? Don't they have any options at all or would they prefer another paying driver?
>25
Has superlicence
Is not under contract (or has a break clause that will not break teh bank)
Fast, or demonstrably able to step up
Then the list gets quite short.
Vaud said:
HustleRussell said:
Hopefully Williams can work around their Martini issue and get Wehrlein in. Ferrari then put Leclerc and Giovanazzi in at Sauber, Massa, Ericsson and Palmer disappear and everybody’s happy.
They would need a brand ambassador to fill the gap... maybe Massa? Vaud said:
When you narrow the field to:
>25
Has superlicence
Is not under contract (or has a break clause that will not break teh bank)
Fast, or demonstrably able to step up
Then the list gets quite short.
It's a short list but there is some very good drivers on it. Hartley getting the Torro Rosso drive would be a great catch for them. >25
Has superlicence
Is not under contract (or has a break clause that will not break teh bank)
Fast, or demonstrably able to step up
Then the list gets quite short.
stemll said:
Vaud said:
HustleRussell said:
Hopefully Williams can work around their Martini issue and get Wehrlein in. Ferrari then put Leclerc and Giovanazzi in at Sauber, Massa, Ericsson and Palmer disappear and everybody’s happy.
They would need a brand ambassador to fill the gap... maybe Massa? 
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