Kubica back in an F1 car
Discussion
Everyone is going mental on the Reddit F1 group about this.
Until he gets seat time in the current car, with vastly more torque and aerodynamic loads compared to the car he actually tested, and I hear Renault applying for his Superlicence (which, AFAIK would also require him to pass the evacuation test) I won't believe a word of it. At all. It's a lovely story and I would love to see him racing again but I just can't see it.
Until he gets seat time in the current car, with vastly more torque and aerodynamic loads compared to the car he actually tested, and I hear Renault applying for his Superlicence (which, AFAIK would also require him to pass the evacuation test) I won't believe a word of it. At all. It's a lovely story and I would love to see him racing again but I just can't see it.
I had a look at reddit earlier, you'd think he was due in the car for the British GP...
I think Palmer is going to last the season, they do appear to be giving him an honest chance of sorting himself out.
None of us know if he can do an evac test - maybe he can.
Its the granting of a super licence thats the big thing - he hasn't raced on a circuit since his accident as far as I'm aware. Driving a car fast is one thing, doing it with another 20 cars around you is another.
I think he will have to do some FP sessions and maybe they'll even want him to do some races in a feeder or high level series ? The situation is unprecedented - I don't know of another case like this where a driver has been out of the profession for some time and then tried to re-enter at the top level.
Unless Renault have already committed to giving him a seat I think rating any drivers chances of getting in to F1 at 90% is optimistic.
Regardless of all this pontificating you have to admire his spirit and ambition.
I think Palmer is going to last the season, they do appear to be giving him an honest chance of sorting himself out.
None of us know if he can do an evac test - maybe he can.
Its the granting of a super licence thats the big thing - he hasn't raced on a circuit since his accident as far as I'm aware. Driving a car fast is one thing, doing it with another 20 cars around you is another.
I think he will have to do some FP sessions and maybe they'll even want him to do some races in a feeder or high level series ? The situation is unprecedented - I don't know of another case like this where a driver has been out of the profession for some time and then tried to re-enter at the top level.
Unless Renault have already committed to giving him a seat I think rating any drivers chances of getting in to F1 at 90% is optimistic.
Regardless of all this pontificating you have to admire his spirit and ambition.
MissChief said:
Everyone is going mental on the Reddit F1 group about this.
Until he gets seat time in the current car, with vastly more torque and aerodynamic loads compared to the car he actually tested, and I hear Renault applying for his Superlicence (which, AFAIK would also require him to pass the evacuation test) I won't believe a word of it. At all. It's a lovely story and I would love to see him racing again but I just can't see it.
Will be interesting to see how the FIA might look to accommodate and adapt to support his return - rules are rules, but they don't cover every scenario. In the interests of inclusion and avoiding direct/indirect discrimination (although allowed in this case) - the lure of the true racers return may allow some leniency in car spec for a less than 100% able bodied racer.Until he gets seat time in the current car, with vastly more torque and aerodynamic loads compared to the car he actually tested, and I hear Renault applying for his Superlicence (which, AFAIK would also require him to pass the evacuation test) I won't believe a word of it. At all. It's a lovely story and I would love to see him racing again but I just can't see it.
The media lure alone must be tempting to the FIA...
geeks said:
I dont buy him not passing an evac test, I know drivers who are in wheelchairs able to pass the MSA one from a saloon car which is much harder!
I dunno, you can tumble out of the side of a saloon car- getting out of an F1 car is like extracating yourself from a kayak which is stuck inside a bigger kayak.There is no doubt Kubica was a talent and what happened to.him was a travesty that prevented us from seeing his full potential in F1, however apart from the PR I don't understand why Renault are doing this as I'm sure there are several young driver's who could do equivalent times in the car without the hassle of modifying the car or risking Kubica's reputation.
Munter said:
There needs to be more of a reason? When was the last time people spoke about Renault in such positive terms?
I tend to agree with this. Whilst Palmer's year 1 contract was tighter than a duck's arse, which is why you didn't see any other drivers in his car in FP1 last season, this season I understand he's not bringing any/much money to the table. Ergo I doubt his contract is as tight and probably has performance clauses in it. So if Kubica can pass the extraction tests, why not throw him in the car for the last 3 races of the season for excellent PR.HustleRussell said:
geeks said:
I dont buy him not passing an evac test, I know drivers who are in wheelchairs able to pass the MSA one from a saloon car which is much harder!
I dunno, you can tumble out of the side of a saloon car- getting out of an F1 car is like extracating yourself from a kayak which is stuck inside a bigger kayak.thegreenhell said:
Don't you think that Renault would have had him do an evac test, even an unofficial one, before letting him drive the car in the last test? Surely they would want to know that he could get himself out if anything happened, even for a private test?
True, but they could have said simply 'get out of the car by yourself Robert' and been happy that he could do so. The FIA apply a far more stringent criteria.Munter said:
There needs to be more of a reason? When was the last time people spoke about Renault in such positive terms?
Lots of good going on in Enstone - Renault money is refreshing the facilities that had become a bit neglected. Bob Bell is back, Ciaron Pilbeam on board in engineering, one of the department heads from Red Bull in aero (Pete Machin).It might take them a while but they are heading in the right direction.
It's an intriguing story.
I'm curious as to one day he was unable to drive, then the next he's having a test and is faster than the current drivers.
What's changed to make him be able to drive the car suddenly?
I'm sceptical that he would return, simply because of his age, but Renault seem to be putting a lot of effort into him testing, etc so there must be substance behind that or why bother?
To think, he had a contract with Ferrari in his pocket before that rally crash....
I'm curious as to one day he was unable to drive, then the next he's having a test and is faster than the current drivers.
What's changed to make him be able to drive the car suddenly?
I'm sceptical that he would return, simply because of his age, but Renault seem to be putting a lot of effort into him testing, etc so there must be substance behind that or why bother?
To think, he had a contract with Ferrari in his pocket before that rally crash....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/40522935
"Robert Kubica is to test for Renault a second time to allow the team to "assess his capabilities to return to the highest level of competition".
The Pole, 32, has only partial movement in his right arm after a crash in a rally car in February 2011, since when he has not raced on a circuit.
However, he and Renault have maintained contact after an impressive first test back in an F1 car in Valencia in June.
The second test will be at Circuit Paul Ricard on a date to be confirmed.
Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul said: "While the first day of testing at Valencia was no more than to let Robert get reacquainted with the feel of driving again, this second test will be to assess his capabilities to return to the highest level of competition.
"This is a new phase in his personal and professional journey and we are proud to support him.
"There are still many hurdles for him to overcome, and he knows better than anyone else that only his performance will determine if he can one day return to being a professional driver."
"Robert Kubica is to test for Renault a second time to allow the team to "assess his capabilities to return to the highest level of competition".
The Pole, 32, has only partial movement in his right arm after a crash in a rally car in February 2011, since when he has not raced on a circuit.
However, he and Renault have maintained contact after an impressive first test back in an F1 car in Valencia in June.
The second test will be at Circuit Paul Ricard on a date to be confirmed.
Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul said: "While the first day of testing at Valencia was no more than to let Robert get reacquainted with the feel of driving again, this second test will be to assess his capabilities to return to the highest level of competition.
"This is a new phase in his personal and professional journey and we are proud to support him.
"There are still many hurdles for him to overcome, and he knows better than anyone else that only his performance will determine if he can one day return to being a professional driver."
Things are getting serious then. I hope he does well, on raw speed he was up there with the top drivers in the current field. If the rumours are anything, he has still got it.
Still watch that Monaco qualifying lap in that car from time to time. He'd be right at home in the current cars if his physical fitness/feel is unimpaired.
Still watch that Monaco qualifying lap in that car from time to time. He'd be right at home in the current cars if his physical fitness/feel is unimpaired.
To get his Superlicence he needs to complete 300km in a current car. I think he needs this before he's even allowed to do Friday practice sessions. Due to the restricted testing that teams are allowed, the only opportunity for him to test a current car this year is the official test after the Hungarian GP. If this next test in the 2012 car goes well, and if Renault are serious about him, then he should appear for one of the two test days in Hungary in August.
thegreenhell said:
To get his Superlicence he needs to complete 300km in a current car. I think he needs this before he's even allowed to do Friday practice sessions. Due to the restricted testing that teams are allowed, the only opportunity for him to test a current car this year is the official test after the Hungarian GP. If this next test in the 2012 car goes well, and if Renault are serious about him, then he should appear for one of the two test days in Hungary in August.
Only then will I believe it might happen.thegreenhell said:
To get his Superlicence he needs to complete 300km in a current car. I think he needs this before he's even allowed to do Friday practice sessions. Due to the restricted testing that teams are allowed, the only opportunity for him to test a current car this year is the official test after the Hungarian GP. If this next test in the 2012 car goes well, and if Renault are serious about him, then he should appear for one of the two test days in Hungary in August.
Not necessarily:"The licence is issued to drivers who have met criteria of success in junior motorsport categories, or in exceptional circumstances, those who have not met those criteria but have demonstrated "outstanding ability in single-seater formula cars" and achieved 300 kilometres (190 miles) of running in a Formula One car."
I think 2013 car is still classed as an F1 car and he doesn't need to run in a 2017 car to get the Super licence.
The Paul Ricard test is next week and he will most probably do a race sim which will give him the Super Licence.
Plenty of time before Hungary test in August.
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