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Kubica's journey back to Formula 1 [updated title]


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#1 cravenciak

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 17:08

kubica_2017.jpg

 
 
GPUpdate.net: Robert Kubica has suggested that he is now eyeing a "proper comeback" after testing a Formula 1 car for the first time in six years with Renault in Valencia earlier this week.
 

Just marketing operation?

"The approach of Renault was a nice surprise. Marketing? No, because they held the tests secret as much as possible. I only know that I didn't expect it, and now I can drive a Formula 1 car."



About tests:

"Fine feelings inside, I know that despite my limitations I can do what I did six years ago. I worked so hard for this opportunity. I have been training as hard as never before. What will happen? I don't know, all I can do is work for more opportunities."



Are you ready for F1?

"I'm glad everyone's interested. Perhaps more to the story that unfortunately or fortunately experienced in recent years. With so much sacrifice, though, I said I wanted to try an F1 car. So far I've only done a test but it was a wonderful thing and an important goal to achieve. I do not hide that at this point, having had good mental and physical sensations [in F1 car], I want to go all the way. I don't know what will happen in the coming months, but we'll see. A person who has worked with me during the test said 'you're an F1 driver', which explains pretty much everything and means a lot to me".



If we can see you in the F1 paddock this year

"Returning to my character ... I promised myself that if I come again I will do it with the helmet to drive a car. I promised myself this goal. For now I did it for a test, then we'll see. It begins a new path and I hope it will take me this way. I will try with all my strength!"
 
I feel like Formula 1 driver, if the call comes I'm ready.
 
 


Edited by cravenciak, 11 June 2017 - 07:30.


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#2 MadYarpen

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 17:14

We needed new thread, good work.

#3 Silverstone96

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 18:14

My money is on him being in the Renault for Spa

#4 GrumpyYoungMan

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 18:22

Maybe he will try one or two races this year?

What a story... and what a come back...

#5 Domi

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 18:23

My money is on him being in the Renault for Spa

that would be good, he could take part in testing at hungaro, so he would get time with new car to workout setup and learn new tires


Edited by Domi, 10 June 2017 - 18:24.


#6 MadYarpen

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 18:40

Seriously guys, you think it is possible?

Edited by MadYarpen, 10 June 2017 - 18:40.


#7 Domi

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 18:41

Seriously guys, you think it is possible?

 

I think more and more teams will jump on this if Renault will be waiting too long. They lost him once in 2006 after testing when BMW got him out from them.


Edited by Domi, 10 June 2017 - 18:42.


#8 pizzalover

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 18:44

Seriously guys, you think it is possible?

 

He sounds up for it. Which is the most important thing IMHO.



#9 wingwalker

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 18:50

He sounds very positive in the Sky interview :up:
 


Edited by wingwalker, 10 June 2017 - 18:51.


#10 Joseki

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 18:52

He give Sky Italy a 30 minutes interview during FP3, I hope someone update it on YouTube.



#11 ThomasCrown

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 19:02

For him to say he will try to get back to F1 I guess he already has a contract to return. I wouldn't be surprised to see him back after the summer break, in a Renault car. A tryout for halve a year, and if it doesn't work out Renault will look for another driver for 2018. It's not like they would concede a lot of valuable points in the WCC with replacing Palmer.

Edited by ThomasCrown, 10 June 2017 - 19:06.


#12 Risil

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 19:03

Gosh. Would be a hell of a story if it happens. :up:



#13 ThomasCrown

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 19:11

Gosh. Would be a hell of a story if it happens. :up:


You made me think of a slogan (I'm in communications/marketing)... "F1, where dreams come true"

Edited by ThomasCrown, 10 June 2017 - 19:12.


#14 OO7

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 19:15

Fantastic news that he feels he is able to perform to a similar level as he was at before his accident.



#15 Tenmantaylor

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 19:56

Even if he's sub par by his own level, he'll still likely be above Palmer's level.



#16 midgrid

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 20:02

Palmer is effectively a waste of a seat at the moment, and the team is still rebuilding, so they might as well put him in the race seat as soon as possible if both parties are serious about it.



#17 Silverstone96

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 20:05

Remember in all this, although it would be a lovely story it's more than that.

F1 is purely a results driven business, if Kubica still has what he used to so to speak, Renault then have one of the fastest drivers on the grid - they know what he's capable of and that's why they are looking back to him, not for sentimental reasons.

If he can still do the business he will be back 100%

Edited by Silverstone96, 10 June 2017 - 20:24.


#18 Domi

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 20:15

Can he potentially test 2017 car under "filming day" ?



#19 Marklar

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 20:21

Can he potentially test 2017 car under "filming day" ?

If they stil have one left, sure (for 100 km). I dont think that they used their 2nd one yet.



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#20 Silverstone96

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 20:23

He can take part in mid season at Budapest potentially

#21 f1paul

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 20:33

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#22 Marklar

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 20:36

He can take part in mid season at Budapest potentially

Yeah, Renault has just used one of their two regular drivers test days, so this could work.



#23 STRFerrari4Ever

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 20:55

Amazing turnaround, it shows you just how quickly things can change in life.

If it does materialise, I hope he's on the pace and successful, his qualifying performance during Monaco 2010 is still amongst my favourite things I've witnessed in F1.

#24 Domi

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 20:57

More about Kubica pace vs Sirotkin from Mark Hughes:

 

 

I'm told that the run on which he set that time was the first time he had experienced the soft tyre and felt he'd not maximised it and so asked for another set as he felt there was another 0.3-0.4s to come... But there were no more sets left.


#25 MadYarpen

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 21:53

At this point, I don't think it is the most important if he was 0.4 or 0.9 faster than sirotkin. What matters is the team was impressed and he thinks he is just as quick as he was. If that is true, somebody should sign him ASAP. End of story.

#26 Chick0

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 21:56

I don't think their is an F1 fan does not want Bobby to get a chance at a race seat, what a wonderful story it would be.. In this age of F1 it seems the new owners are putting publicity high on the priority list, but this would be genuine,  i think he has a great chance of coming back ..  Imagine if he won a race.....  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

 

I think it would also be great for the sport to promote his struggles, his disability and come back.. And lets face it, their is not a group of engineers in any team that would not love challenge of adapting the car's controls and systems exactly to Bobby's needs ...


Edited by Chick0, 10 June 2017 - 22:01.


#27 Arundo

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Posted 10 June 2017 - 22:37

This would be so awesome if it happens  :clap:  :clap:



#28 cravenciak

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 01:25

"A person who has worked with me during the test [and in the past] said 'you're an F1 driver', which explains pretty much everything and means a lot to me."

 

alan8hs09.jpg

 

I bet you know this guy  :smoking:


Edited by cravenciak, 11 June 2017 - 01:26.


#29 balaclava

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 01:51

If Renault puts him in the car for 2018, they won me as a fan forever, and im not even a fan of Robert. I think he's a hell of a driver who has to be in F1 tho. Hulk + Robert would be a helluva roster.

#30 Wuzak

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 02:58

They could always run him in FP1....



#31 SPBHM

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 04:15

They could always run him in FP1....

 

that would be a very good idea I think,



#32 Laster

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 05:22

that would be a very good idea I think,

"Hey Palmer, there's nothing for you to worry about, we're just gonna let Kubica have a practice session, and I can't stress this enough - There is absolutely no need for you to wor--and he's faster than you - bye Palmer!"

#33 Domi

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 06:42

They can also give him some testing I believe with 2015 car with aero package from 2017. If it happens I believe he will be in the car after summer break. There will be enough time in break for preparation

 

 

or 2nd debut at hungaroring  :rotfl:


Edited by Domi, 11 June 2017 - 06:48.


#34 Mediansoft

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 06:50

Can't say I miss him. Can't say I care if he will or will not return. Good on him if he does.



#35 kosmos

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 06:58

Can't say I miss him. Can't say I care if he will or will not return. Good on him if he does.

 

 

He was brilliant before the accident and he was also a fun and good personality to have in the paddock, I don't lose sleep but personally I will be happy if he comes back.



#36 GrumpyYoungMan

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 07:36

Depends on what systems need changing and if it is possible and how long it would take to alter them, also would any of the system changes need approving by the FIA?

I would like to this happen, hopefully Liberty and Renault can get him in the car for a race(s) or free practice(s) this year... the other problem you have is he fit enough to cope with a 20 race season?

#37 Domi

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 07:37

Depends on what systems need changing and if it is possible and how long it would take to alter them, also would any of the system changes need approving by the FIA?

 

 

He doesn't need anything other then the push-pull gear changes like he did at testing and it has thankfully nothing to do with FIA . He can change gears normally but feels more comfortable with this system


Edited by Domi, 11 June 2017 - 07:38.


#38 cravenciak

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 07:46

 the other problem you have is he fit enough to cope with a 20 race season?

 

He just said he was never that well prepared for racing in F1. 



#39 wingwalker

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 08:22

.. the other problem you have is he fit enough to cope with a 20 race season?


I'd guess he is fine, if he did 115 laps during one day he would be fine doing a race weekend. To me bigger concern to me is physical limitations of his right hand, drivers often need to be busy with the buttons on the wheel during a race, this is where his limitation could be a problem. But he sounds confident and knowing how cautious he is I'm sure he worked on that, otherwise he wouldn't be targeting an F1 return the way he does now. As in "full comeback this is my goal now" as opposed to "if things go right I may get a chance to drive an F1 car in a few years time but I need to be sure there's a point in this",



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#40 thuGG

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 08:25

 He can change gears normally but feels more comfortable with this system

It can't be answered until it actually happens;)



#41 GrumpyYoungMan

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 08:42

He doesn't need anything other then the push-pull gear changes like he did at testing and it has thankfully nothing to do with FIA . He can change gears normally but feels more comfortable with this system

That's good then! :)

#42 cravenciak

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 08:46

Tests at Hungaroring and then FP1 during race weekend seems reasonable. I'd love to see him at Spa, he did a great job there back in 2010.



#43 Swck81

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 10:24

LiveBet offers bets on Kubica already:

https://play.livebet...334574&lang=eng

 

Kubica to be official test driver of any F1 team before end of 2018:   3.50 

Kubica to race before end of 2018 2018: 8.00

Kubica to replace Palmer: 12.00

Kubica to win before end of 2018: 51.00



#44 Domi

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 12:59

if Kubica has official instagram you know something is going on  :rotfl:

https://www.instagra...kubicaofficial/



#45 MadYarpen

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 13:00

no way.



#46 zdzisio

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 14:19

if Kubica has official instagram you know something is going on  :rotfl:

https://www.instagra...kubicaofficial/

 

Has he, thou? All the pics there are Renault press materials (except the bike stats) and even the profile image is the one that been floating on tweeter  - and even more so it's the  one where his hand looks bad.



#47 Domi

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 14:25

Has he, thou? All the pics there are Renault press materials (except the bike stats) and even the profile image is the one that been floating on tweeter  - and even more so it's the  one where his hand looks bad.

 

Olimp-his sponsor posted this on twitter so I believe it is

of course he doesn't do this personally but someone else

 

 

 

if you ask me, I believe he is already signed with team and all of this is just heating up his comeback


Edited by Domi, 11 June 2017 - 14:28.


#48 kumo7

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 14:27

wow... awesome... legend... 



#49 Neno

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 14:28

LiveBet offers bets on Kubica already:

https://play.livebet...334574&lang=eng

 

Kubica to be official test driver of any F1 team before end of 2018:   3.50 

Kubica to race before end of 2018 2018: 8.00

Kubica to replace Palmer: 12.00

Kubica to win before end of 2018: 51.00

damn I'll take at 12.00 for Palmer. 



#50 derstatic

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Posted 11 June 2017 - 14:31

I get the feeling there might be something going on behind the scenes. Why else would he do all this training, harder than ever as he himself says? Why would he suddenly give up on what seemed to be a decent opportunity to race powerful LMP1 cars for Bykolles if there's isn't something better waiting? It seemed to be a very serious test with Renault at Valencia and both parties claim to be very happy. Palmer has been terrible. I know it has been hinted here before but Kubica in a proper test in Hungary and then in the car at Spa would be awesome. How would it work with a Superlicence? Still qualified for one?


Edited by derstatic, 11 June 2017 - 14:31.