Kubica: Legend or Archaic?
The story of Robert Kubica is one of the most famous in the modern Formula One era; a passionate Polish driver struck down in his prime by a near fatal rally accident, inhibiting his return to F1 possibly forever. Many thought after losing most movement in his right arm, his return would be impossible. However his shock return to the grid in 2019 with Williams proved many wrong. Kubica is the only returning driver to the sport, with many rookies joining him in getting a seat, including his new team mate, George Russell. The expectations for Kubica this year are high but my gut feeling tells me he won't perform as well as many hope and he holds a big question over his head: is kubica archaic or will he show he still belongs in the sport?
Kubica's last F1 race was Abu Dhabi 2010; the Pole qualified in a satisfactory 11th, behind team mate Petrov and finished the race 5th, ahead of Alonso and 3 seconds in front of his team mate. Its been 8 full F1 seasons since. His old team, Renault, are a new team, returning to F1 in 2016 and out of the 24 drivers on the grid in 2010, 3 will line up with him on the grid in Australia. F1 has changed since he raced. The Renault R30 is completely different to what we can only imagine will be called the Williams FW42. The R30 was a v8 engine, a noise that roared as it came alive and forced the car forward in an extremely different way to the V6 turbo charged Mercedes engine and its not like he has had practice in race conditions seeing as the hybrid era started 3 seasons after his leave from the sport.
Although, Kubica has practised in numerous test sessions and in practice sessions throughout the year, he lacks the race practice that possibly rivals such as Sainz or Kyvat even has witnessed in the hybrid era. All in all, I think in order not to be disppointed by Kubica's performance in the following year, we must witness him as a rookie, no better than possibly his team mate, Russell. Both he and Russell have only ever had practice sessions in the hybrid era and therefore I argue that, although Kubica has past F1 knowledge, him and Russell will come out even in the following season, if that. Russell is a budding racing driver, a Mercedes young driver and not restricted by any form of injury. Kubica's arm injury is inevitably going to have an effect on certain corners, be it the tight upflick of Eau Rogue or struggling with the tight turn of China's hairpin, the force of certain corners will be a struggle in his state.
Mark Webber was the first this year to admit that he is "nervous" for Kubica stating that he hopes his restrictions "aren't frustrating for him in certain scenarios like driving in the rain or aquaplaining". However Webber notes afterwards that, although he may these queries, he strongly believes the Pole is "mentally...in incredible state". This is an interesting note from the Australian as, especially in the recent years, racing mentally has become hugely important. Rosberg claims to have beaten Hamilton due to playing mind games with him throughout the 2016 season and 2018 was not without Hamilton doing similar to Vettel. Famous examples may be the scooter where Hamilton zooms past Vettel, overtaking him in the pits at the last second. Many believe Vettel loses championships by being mentally broken by a point in a season; Germany is one that all will remember. Kubica being mentally strong going in and, as Webber says, being "hungry to prove himself" will be a driving factor in how he will perform. Kubica's chances of returning to F1 were incredibly minimal after the rally crash in 2011, losing most movement within his right arm. However, Kubica commented that "somehow your body adapts to reality...everything I tried to do in the same way, I got disappointed, but then I realised I could still do them in different ways".
Kubica tested with Renault in 2017 and 2018 was seen in the William's car several times as their test driver. Kubica has one of the strongest mindsets of an F1 driver and I don't doubt he will be mentally strong as at the beginning of 2018, his return looked impossible. However, I worry that the sport has built him mentally strong to only have the capability to destroy it. The Williams car this year will not be good. The team recently lost it's title sponsor of 'Martini' and lost money from both it's drivers, with Lance Stroll moving his money to Racing Point and Sirotkin being dropped for Kubica. Although 'AT&T' have stepped in as a title sponsor, the team seems to be only growing weaker and whatever kubica will be driving, it won't be anywhere near Mercedes pace. It may not be even near some of the midfield. Kubica needs to be aware that he will struggle and going in with his fiery mindset will only help but how long will it take him before the car starts fragmenting it?
Kubica is one of the most mentally strong racers F1 has ever witnessed. His background of racing shows a young Polish boy supported by a father bankrupting himself for his son's will to drive and him making F1 in 2006 was a feat of magnificance. However, his return to Australia this year will show an even greater story and one F1 won't forget soon and embeds in him as a legend in F1 wall of fame. However, I fear his limitations will weaken this legend and possibly taint it forever. Kubica enters this year at the same age as Hamilton but is incredibly more disadvantaged than the Brit. Driving what very possibly could be the slowest car on the grid and to have physical limitations upon that aswell, Kubica has a lot to fight against. More importantly though, a lot to prove. With his fiery mindset, if he can bring the Kubica we all watched and loved, his return is one that is very welcome and one I am incredibly excited for. I will always question however, if the accident hadn't happened where could Kubica be and what could he have achieved?
