Robert Kubica interviewed by ŚwiatWyścigów.pl
Robert Kubica’s comeback story has to be one of the greatest in the modern Formula 1 history. The Polish driver has returned to the paddock full-time, as a development driver of the Williams team. One of his responsibilities was to participate in the pre-season testing in Barcelona, where ŚwiatWyścigów.pl’s Roksana Ćwik got to sit down with him.
On Thursday you set the fastest time among the Williams drivers [at that time], but you were not using the hypersoft tyres. Is this something that is still on the agenda?
We did not use the hypersoft tyres as there were different priorities for testing and it was not the point of my running. The teams have to declare what tyres they want to use during the test quite a long time before – that is why we are mostly using the soft [yellow] tyres. Obviously we do have some sets of different compounds, but we are focused on completing our programme and not on the timesheets.
Talking about priorities, how much the weather has affected your plans?
This week the weather really made things easy for us and the conditions have been quite stable. The morning are still cold and we struggle – perhaps more than some other teams – to warm up the tyres, so that an area of focus for us.
If we are talking about priorities, my role is very different from that of the race drivers. There is only a day and a half left, so we will now try some other tyre compounds, as the drivers have to become familiar with them.
The often-asked question this month is about the new tarmac…
Barcelona can be described almost as a historical circuit, since everyone is coming here each year. Changing the tarmac is like having a completely new track – the layout stayed the same but the surface is very different. I think it is much faster and provides more constant grip, while in the past there were a lot of bumps and the grip levels varied depending on the chosen line.
The teams have much harder job of making proper analysis as no one is really sure how much the grip has changed. Also, there is no point in comparing data with that from 12 months ago, as the car performance could have – and even should have – improved by two seconds over that period.
You have said that the current cars are too heavy and it is easy to overheat the tyres. Is this issue exaggerated by the addition of Halo?
I do not think it makes that much of a difference. The centre of mass is a little higher and the weight distribution has changed – since the Halo weights 12 to 15 kg – but everyone is affected in the same way. Everything has been calculated and designed in a way so that it will not be an issue. It also does not make much difference from the driver’s point of view, maybe apart from the much more complicated getting in and out of the car.
Speaking of which, a few drivers have already experienced some issues. If it was up to the drivers, whether the Halo should be introduced, what would be your choice?
Thankfully, it is not mine to make. I think that the FIA does a great job in terms of improving safety in Formula 1 and in motorsport as a whole. It was developed by experts and I really do not see any reason for it not to be introduced – maybe apart from the looks, but everyone will get used to it. So, I think it is the right move, especially since it is about safety.
And how about the visibility?
There are no issues. It was noticeable and somewhat distracting when we first tried it in the simulator, but once you go out on track and focus on driving, you will hardly ever see it. In fact, I spent some four hours in the car today and noticed it only when it was time to climb out.
During your career you have driven a few generations of cars. Which one was the most problematic and which one was the most enjoyable?
I might be a little sentimental in this regard and think that the cars from 10 years ago were the most enjoyable. Everybody says how the current F1 is the fastest ever – which is arguable – but the lap time is now generated in a very different way. The cars of 10 years ago were lighter and less powerful, which made them much more nimble and more enjoyable to drive.
The current cars seem heavy in low- and mid-speed corners. Another matter to consider is that the veteran drivers had the changes applied gradually to them. I returned after the break and experienced a vastly different F1, which – as everything – has its advantages and drawbacks. Quite frankly, every car is difficult to take to its limit and it is no different now.
What are the plans for the future, especially regarding the LMP1?
Talking about LMP1, the plans have not changed since last month. It means that I have not yet made the final decision, which I will have to do. My schedule at Williams is quite packed, so it is something to consider, but it is doable.
I make no secret that I would like to be racing. The LMP1 has its appeal and it would be something new for me. The idea came up about two years ago, but if I was to do it, it would have to be done properly and not like it was last year [with ByKolles].
Finally, how does it feel to be back in F1 and to see that the fans share the same enthusiasm as before?
It is a nice feeling, especially seeing the Polish – but not only – fans on the grandstands. I have received a lot of warmth since my return.
