Driving ambition could take Robert Kubica to Ferrari
Robert Kubica has been widely tipped to be Fernando Alonso’s teammate at Ferrari next season after sterling performances over the last few seasons. His podium finish at last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix showcased his talents and fuelled speculation of a move to the Prancing Horse.
Poland’s first Formula One driver made his debut in 2006 for BMW Sauber F1 after lead driver Jacques Villeneuve left the team. He was promoted as a test driver and drove at the Hungarian Grand Prix, scoring points by finishing seventh. Unfortunately, he was disqualified after having an underweight car.
In the same season, he got his maiden podium by finishing third at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, after he overtook his teammate Nick Heidfield at the start. Kubica had made an impression in the final few races, challenging the experienced drivers of Giancarlo Fisichella and Alonso. He has an aggressive style of driving and has the ability to get the optimum speed out of a car.
Kubica suffered a horrific accident in Montreal at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, crashing into a wall at over 185mph after contact with another car. His front wing was forced under the car by the impact and, when he hit a bump on the grass, his car flew in the air and he was unable to control the car. His car was wrecked, but amazingly he only suffered bruising and concussion. He was fit to race a week later, but missed the next grand prix as a precaution. He made his return to the cockpit in the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours and where he finished fourth.
Twelve months later Kubica to tasted success as a race winner in Formula One, returning to Montreal and putting the nightmares of the crash behind him by delivering BMW Sauber’s first victory, leading his teammate Heidfield to a one-two finish. Kubica emerged as a world championship contender in the 2008 season, leading the drivers’ standings, challenging the eventual champion, McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, and former Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen. He finished joint third at the end of the campaign, but it became very clear that a future world champion might just be in the making.
From the highs of 2008 came the lows of 2009. BMW Sauber struggled to give Kubica a fast car, and he was unable to follow up his strong performances. Now with Renault, Kubica finds himself not being able to challenge for the world championship again, but he is leading the under-performing French car manufacturer, and Renault team principal Eric Boullier believes Kubica will stay beyond his one-year deal. “For him, he is working very well with the team and likes the team spirit as well. I think the new packages we plan to bring and the ambitions we have for the future, everything looks very positive. We have kept him very informed, and I am pretty sure it is enough to make him happy to stay.”
The 25-year-old is carrying the team single-handedly, similar to what Alonso did when Renault won back-to-back drivers’ and constructors’ championships in 2005 and 2006. “Obviously back in the old days, Alonso was fitting well with the team and it is the same thing we want now. It is key that the driver fits well with the team. This team has been winning championships so they know how to race and how to be successful and make a good car. Then the chemistry with the drivers, plus the results, have been a boost and brought out the best,” said Boullier.
Reports from Italy are suggesting that Kubica has signed an “option” contract with Ferrari, with that option set to expire on July 15th. This means the power is with Ferrari, who will decide whether to axe Felipe Massa and replace him with the talented Pole for 2011.
Kubica looks to be Ferrari-bound, and with his best friend and two-time world champion Alonso already there, they will have a partnership made in heaven.
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