Renault Boss Eric Boullier believes Robert Kubica’s loss had a negative impact in 2011 – Formula 1
Renault team boss Eric Boullier says that the loss of Robert Kubica was a major reason behind the team’s poor 2011 season performance.
Kubica’s management has said that the driver will not be available for the initial part of the season which at this stage means that he is virtually not going to take part in the 2012 season.
He also said that although the forward-facing exhaust layout was also part of the problem but Kubica’s absence really hurt the team. The season started with two podiums but then their season derailed poorly and points were hard to secure.
The technical team admitted that the front facing exhaust had faults and that is why the car is not able to perform the way it should.
Kubica the lead driver of Renault was injured in serious pre-season crash. Boullier was asked by Autosport what he felt were the reasons behind a dismal 2011 season, and he explained that it was the loss of Kubica more than anything else. He added that it
was not only a morale blow for the team it was also related to the speed.
“But you had an indirect loss too - and this is one of the bigger values of Robert. It is mental strength, and also the commitment from the team to make it good and better. And this... we don't know how much it cost us, because maybe part of the development
of the forward exhausts could have been done differently with the comments of Robert,” Boullier said.
Boullier though said even if the season was a disaster for the team but the learning curve improved the experience was very educating and it will go a long way for the team’s future.
He admitted that during the season everyone was frustrated at the results but most of the staff have come to realise that it is over and it is time to look into the future seasons with better preparation.
He conceded if Kubica was in the team the team would have been gunning for the top 3 positions and the whole staff would have been very excited but the reality is the experiences learnt from the season would not have been there.
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