Kubica back in an F1 car
Discussion
Dr Z said:
This Kubica situation pisses me right off, and I'm not even sure whom I should be angry at. 
That Abu Dhabi test was a right farce wasn't it?
Kubica secured a place in the team on the back of it, despite having no experience of the car he was driving. It got him access to the simulator and he's obviously used the time on it well.That Abu Dhabi test was a right farce wasn't it?
glazbagun said:
Does Kubica get paid for his new job or is competition for seats high enough that test drivers need to bring cash too?
If it allows him to re-establish his credentials in contemporary equipment against two alleged 'rising stars' it would be worth him turning up for expenses only.I predict he will be in contention for Kimi's job by the end of the year.
ed themselves out?Dr Z said:
This Kubica situation pisses me right off, and I'm not even sure whom I should be angry at.
That Abu Dhabi test was a right farce wasn't it?
In what way? Sirotkin was fastest on the day. Williams do need money to develop the car as they've consistently had a decent car at the beginning of the season and then been out-developed throughout the rest of the year and fallen away. If Paddy Lowe can get the money coming in now in the right places then they could get better and start moving up the field.That Abu Dhabi test was a right farce wasn't it?
I don't get the Kubica love sometimes. He WAS a great driver but when two teams pass on him driving for them in a race seat, surely they must both have seen something they didn't like?
Edited by MissChief on Saturday 10th March 03:03
MissChief said:
I don't get the Kubica love sometimes. He WAS a great driver but when two teams pass on him driving for them in a race seat, surely they must both have seen something they didn't like?
The bottom line.Teams that didn't need money/sponsorship already had someone in place or a known quantity lined up.
r11co said:
MissChief said:
I don't get the Kubica love sometimes. He WAS a great driver but when two teams pass on him driving for them in a race seat, surely they must both have seen something they didn't like?
The bottom line.Teams that didn't need money/sponsorship already had someone in place or a known quantity lined up.
Maybe, if he had more backing than Sirotkin his butt would be in the Williams now. I don't but it's easy to say what the team should've done not knowing the facts.
I can understand Renault not taking him, their plans seem long term and with Sainz being so quick, talented and young he can on paper at least commit long term to the Renault project. Kubica’s come back was/is only going to realIticslly be a season or two if a race seat happens then they’d be looking for a driver again and possibly not have someone as quick as Sainz as an option.
I thought that Sainz was only on loan to Renault, as compensation for STR ending their Renault engine contract early. If Danny Ric leaves Red Bull when his current contract finishes at the end of this year then I'd expect to see Sainz take that seat next year. Where would that leave Renault, having lost both Kubica and Sirotkin?
thegreenhell said:
I thought that Sainz was only on loan to Renault, as compensation for STR ending their Renault engine contract early. If Danny Ric leaves Red Bull when his current contract finishes at the end of this year then I'd expect to see Sainz take that seat next year. Where would that leave Renault, having lost both Kubica and Sirotkin?
Pastor Maldanado crashing in to the rescue!thegreenhell said:
I thought that Sainz was only on loan to Renault, as compensation for STR ending their Renault engine contract early. If Danny Ric leaves Red Bull when his current contract finishes at the end of this year then I'd expect to see Sainz take that seat next year. Where would that leave Renault, having lost both Kubica and Sirotkin?
Obviously Alonso, and in this scenario McLaren for the 2019 championship. ajprice said:
When can we start the 2019 silly season thread? 
It would appear Ricciardo and Red Bull have kicked it off already. If the Honda engine in the Toro Rosso puts in a half decent performance the early part of this seaon then Kubica will be in the Ferrari next year.Figure it out!
HustleRussell said:
thegreenhell said:
Where would that leave Renault, having lost both Kubica and Sirotkin?
Obviously Alonso, and in this scenario McLaren for the 2019 championship. 
Edited by r11co on Friday 9th March 20:49
I can't see Ricciardo going to Ferrari if it means playing wing-man to Vettel and recent history would seem to imply that Ferrari don't want two drivers who think they have a shot at the WDC. Would Kubica go to Ferrari if it meant being number-two? I don't know but if ti was his only option of a race seat I rather think he would.
In a way he'd be an ideal second-driver for Ferrari; he's experienced, mature, fast, and given the nature of the way his career has progressed seems grateful for whatever he can get.
In a way he'd be an ideal second-driver for Ferrari; he's experienced, mature, fast, and given the nature of the way his career has progressed seems grateful for whatever he can get.
Edited by kambites on Friday 9th March 20:56
kambites said:
I can't see Ricciardo going to Ferrari if it means playing wing-man to Vettel and recent history would seem to imply that Ferrari don't want two drivers who think they have a shot at the WDC. Would Kubica go to Ferrari if it meant being number-two? I don't know but if ti was his only option of a race seat I rather think he would.
In a way he'd be an ideal second-driver for Ferrari; he's experienced, mature, fast, and given the nature of the way his career has progressed seems grateful for whatever he can get.
I’ve wanted Ferrari to replace Räikkönen for years now as although he’s great for team radio soundbytes he isn’t fast enough to push Vettel. However Kimi is not going to volunteer to retire and I can’t imagine Kubica being a significantly better bet? In a way he'd be an ideal second-driver for Ferrari; he's experienced, mature, fast, and given the nature of the way his career has progressed seems grateful for whatever he can get.
jsf said:
Ricciardo will be in a Mercedes next year.
That's entirely down to how the resident Finn performs though the idea certainly has merit, personally I'd love to see him at Ferrari. Can't see that happening for two reasons though; the team isn't capable of managing two very fast drivers along with the potential conflict that generates and Vettel would probably spit his dummy, throw his toys out of the pram and do what ever he could to veto the move anyway.As for Kubica I very much doubt we'll see him in a race seat ever again, sadly it's very much a case of what could have been.
CardShark said:
jsf said:
Ricciardo will be in a Mercedes next year.
That's entirely down to how the resident Finn performs though the idea certainly has merit, personally I'd love to see him at Ferrari. Can't see that happening for two reasons though; the team isn't capable of managing two very fast drivers along with the potential conflict that generates and Vettel would probably spit his dummy, throw his toys out of the pram and do what ever he could to veto the move anyway.As for Kubica I very much doubt we'll see him in a race seat ever again, sadly it's very much a case of what could have been.
MissChief said:
If, as is rumoured, Vettel is at least consulted on the driver in the second seat, and some say an actual Veto (which personally I doubt) then Ricciardo won't be going to Maranello. I think he'd suit Mercedes very well. He's fast, mature, great to be around and (just about) everyone in F1 loves him. And he can drive.
....and for those reasons Hamilton wouldn’t want him in a Mercedes. I doubt Ricciardo would be able to beat Hamilton given the situation but he’d probably be better than Bottas. Why risk it? Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff