64 replies to this topic

[milestone 11]

Definately. I can't help but imagine that he could have been in a Red Bull, Mercedes or Ferrari at some point with possibly a WDC in his pocket by now. 

Yep.https://m.youtube.co...h?v=nq2aaUp3hYc

[DrProzac]

David Evans from Autosport recently said in an interview for the Polish press that he thinks Kubica deserves a factory seat in WRC, and that if not his unfortunate physical limitations he could be up there with Ogier. He thinks that Rober is a true talent and the sport needs him. He then goes on saying that running his own team is a big burden and how it must have an impact on his results. Lot's of good word abuot Kubica and almost nothing about his crashes.

 

I wonder how many people in the sport have much more positive view than spectators. I rmemeber some other WRC driver (Ostberg, Sordo?) saying that he has no idea how Kubica is driving that fast one handed.

 

I think the frequent crashing must have had an impact on his possibilities of gaining a factory seat. Rober probably has to regroup, improve his consistency and then a factory seat is possible. He is driving more and more competitively, despite being an unexperienced driver running his own team. From that perspective, doing less rallies and more testing can be a very good idea.

 

Personally I wish that besides rallying, we'll see him in a race car once again.

 

 

 

He should look at touring cars.  If Zanardi could manage with no legs, Kubica's problems shouldn't be too much of an obstacle.  Rally has proved too hard physically for him and I suspect any single seater or prototype would be the same.

 

 

Prototype could not be that bad, there's more space and circuit racing is less demanding, because you know how to approach every corner very well. Also Kubica was racing since he was a kid, so it must be a lot easier. Until he tests, we won't know for sure. Simulator testing for Mercedes suggested, that on some circuits he wouldn't have any major problems even in F1.

Edited by DrProzac, 24 October 2015 - 18:45.

[MaGiK]

If hes going to mix few rallies+ racing season i think its gonna be DTM.

It doesnt have that many races so  he would have time to do some rallies. Plus couple weeks ago Toto Wolff said that Robert can have seat in DTM Mercedes anytime...

[Jejking]

I think WEC is a good opportunity for him.

[Dmitriy_Guller]

I think Kubica already showed what he can do in a rally car plus he seems to be improving season after season. True, he still has too many crashes but the speed is there. Put him in a Volkswagen and he would be winning rallies on asphlat, I am sure of that. I hope he continues with rallies in 2016.

I also think that some comments in this thread are very weird to say the least. In 2008 Kubica fought for the title almost down the last race in a car which overall wasn't among the two best that season. If that's not an exceptional talent then I don't know what is.

Same can be said about Frentzen, but no one regarded him as more than a journeyman driver.  The 2008 season was like the 1999 season, in that the top drivers fought to lose the championship rather than win it.  That naturally backs them up within reach of second tier car/driver combinations.

[Myrvold]

David Evans from Autosport recently said in an interview for the Polish press that he thinks Kubica deserves a factory seat in WRC, and that if not his unfortunate physical limitations he could be up there with Ogier. He thinks that Rober is a true talent and the sport needs him. He then goes on saying that running his own team is a big burden and how it must have an impact on his results. Lot's of good word abuot Kubica and almost nothing about his crashes.

 

I wonder how many people in the sport have much more positive view than spectators. I rmemeber some other WRC driver (Ostberg, Sordo?) saying that he has no idea how Kubica is driving that fast one handed.

Yup, considering his "problems" he is doing a very good job. However, it's how it is at the moment, it's that cards he have been dealt now, and he doesn't do anything that warrants a factory seat. There is no reason why Kubica should get a factory seat instead of Abbring, Lappi, Tidemand or maybe even Bouffier at the moment, or even swap places with any of the full-time drivers atm. Last year he had his "own" team, but everything was M-Sport run, it didn't go that much better either.

 

This might be a bit colored due to the fact that I feel that David Evans often talk BS and is way off the mark, and the fact that he spoke with Polish press...

[DrProzac]

Mostly, I agree. Until Kubica becomes more consistent, I doubt he'll get a factory seat. It wouldn't be reasonable. Unfortunately It will be difficult for him to be both quick, consistent and run his team.

 

It's clear though that being a privateer entry has an impact on results. In this rally he had numerous gearbox and break problems, failing tires. Usually you don't see so many problems at once in factory cars, and at least the driver doesn't have to deal with it outside the stages. That's the issue he must address next year. I also think that Evans is right that Kubica is good for WRC and it will be a shame if he quits.

Edited by DrProzac, 25 October 2015 - 11:52.

[Myrvold]

He should get a team manager, as he does not have the experience, and thus the skill to be an owner-driver.

[DrProzac]

It may be a budget issue, or some other reason. But it's not only about having have to deal with stuff, like operating on a tight budget. If Kubica looses his sponsor, it may be even harder.

 

Colin Clark recently also had some good words to say about Kubica, many of them similar to those of Evans. He said that Robert could be a good choice for Toyota for 2017, though it would require some courage on their part. Not a chance for a factory drive in 2016, I think. 

Edited by DrProzac, 25 October 2015 - 17:52.

[Myrvold]

It may be a budget issue, or some other reason. But it's not only about having have to deal with stuff, like operating on a tight budget. If Kubica looses his sponsor, it may be even harder.

 

Colin Clark recently also had some good words to say about Kubica, many of them similar to those of Evans. He said that Robert could be a good choice for Toyota for 2017, though it would require some courage on their part. Not a chance for a factory drive in 2016, I think. 

Then we are again on my previous point. He has not shown anything which would make it a wise decision to hire him instead of another driver with good results - and also shown good pace in WRC when they've had the chance, with the exception of PR!

 

And it might be budget issues, but if he'd been able to set the running of the team to someone else, he could've concentrated on driving, and sponsors, not all the other stuff. Both Mads Østberg and Petter Solberg have shown that it is more than possible to run a private team, get good results, and not have tonnes of tech.issues.

[DrProzac]

Didn't Ostberg had some degree of factory backing? I think even Clark mentioned it in the interview.

[Myrvold]

Didn't Ostberg had some degree of factory backing? I think even Clark mentioned it in the interview.

 

Depends what year you think of 2011 yes, 2012, nope. Nothing more than other M-Sport customers (like Kubica last year). Before 2011 it was no support in any way from anyone.

[DrProzac]

The latest rumor (omnicorse.it) is that Kubica will meet Wolff to discuss starts in DTM.

[FerrariV12]

This is true.

He should look at touring cars. If Zanardi could manage with no legs, Kubica's problems shouldn't be too much of an obstacle. Rally has proved too hard physically for him and I suspect any single seater or prototype would be the same.

Alessandro Nannini was another who had a successful touring car career after similar(ish) injuries. Although from a pure medical view I don't know how they compare, as he did do the odd F1 test so maybe his post recovery impairment wasn't as bad.

[BRG]

So was Rally GB his swan song in WRC?  Quick but erratic, as ever.