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      06-06-2017, 11:41 AM   #1
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Robert Kubica tests F1 car again six years after horror rally crash

Robert Kubica tests F1 car again six years after horror rally crash

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/124...or-rally-crash

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Robert Kubica has driven a Formula 1 car for the first time since suffering career-changing injuries in a 2011 rallying accident.

The 32-year-old, winner of the 2008 Canadian GP, was behind the wheel of a 2012 Lotus decked out in Renault livery at Valencia's Ricardo Tormo circuit, the scene of Kubica's last F1 test before his horrific rally crash six years ago.

Renault confirmed Kubica completed 115 laps in Spain, with the private test following on from his single-seater runs in GP3 and Formula E machinery in recent months.

he former BMW and Lotus driver was widely tipped as a future world champion before his one-off participation in an Italian rally between pre-season F1 tests dramatically changed the course of his career.

Just three days after setting the pace at 2011's opening pre-season test, Kubica crashed into a church wall during the Ronde di Andora rally and suffered severe damage to his right hand, arm and leg. He underwent several hours of surgery and suffered a partial amputation of his forearm.

With the restricted movement of his arm initially prohibiting him from driving a single-seater again, Kubica made his competitive return in World Rally in 2013 before racing on circuits again last year.

Before the crash, Kubica was fast emerging as a major talent in the sport.

In 2008, he claimed his maiden F1 victory, winning the Canadian GP for BMW Sauber, and he registered three podiums finishes for Renault in 2010, his final season in F1 prior to his accident.

In 2012, Fernando Alonso declared: "For me the best driver is Robert Kubica. When he returns, which will surely be soon, I'm sure he will continue to be the best driver."

Why has Kubica returned now?
Renault haven't commented on why Kubica has returned to action and news of his drive only leaked on Monday. But inevitably his comeback drive has prompted speculation that the Pole is seeking a full-time return to F1.

There are, however, many hurdles for Kubica still to clear if a return to F1 is to become a reality.

'So why did we keep it quiet? It was a private test, for Robert,' tweeted Renault. 'But we can tell you this... Robert complained about grip, understeer, downforce and had the biggest smile on after his 115 laps!!'

The substantial lap count would seemingly signal that not only was this anything but a sentimental return to an F1 car, but Kubica was comfortable with the physical demands exerted.


Great to see Kubica back in a F1, even if its just a test, and I don't think he will be competing in F1 anytime soon.
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      06-06-2017, 12:19 PM   #2
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Such a bummer what happened to him, seems like a great guy and was/is obviously one helluva driver. Reading the details of that rally crash he had, wow.

Good for him!
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      06-06-2017, 02:45 PM   #3
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Awesome!
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      06-06-2017, 02:53 PM   #4
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He was my favorite driver at the time of his crash. An awesome talent and a very nice, humble guy who I hope to see return to the sport.
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      06-06-2017, 02:58 PM   #5
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Wow, 6 years ago!

Who said that if he got a nose job he'd be faster (lighter weight)? Ron Dennis?
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      06-06-2017, 07:02 PM   #6
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He would have been WDC by now, I remember rumors of him being linked to Ferrari. Sebastian Vettel had to sit on the sidelines while the two were at BMW-Sauber because Kubica was faster. I read quotes where Alonso thought he was the best driver on the grid. Glad to see him back in an F1 car, even if it's just for a test.
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      06-06-2017, 10:37 PM   #7
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Good.

Dump Palmer who's been wasting that seat.

I'll take Maldonado over Palmer... yes.. Maldonado.. I went there.
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      06-07-2017, 10:23 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mtxzptlk View Post
Good.

Dump Palmer who's been wasting that seat.

I'll take Maldonado over Palmer... yes.. Maldonado.. I went there.


off topic, i was hoping Stroll will fill Maldonado's shoes...
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      06-08-2017, 09:26 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chihuahua View Post
He would have been WDC by now, I remember rumors of him being linked to Ferrari. Sebastian Vettel had to sit on the sidelines while the two were at BMW-Sauber because Kubica was faster. I read quotes where Alonso thought he was the best driver on the grid. Glad to see him back in an F1 car, even if it's just for a test.
Kubica and Alonso were (are?) also very close friends so it shouldn't come as a surprise that he would compliment him. That being said, I completely agree with his assessment. He was/is a phenomenal driver and a great personality to have in the sport. Every time someone asks me who my favorite driver is (among the current crop), I still say "well Kubica is my favorite, but I like Vettel as well."
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      06-08-2017, 09:34 AM   #10
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loved this guy, a true racer.
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      06-08-2017, 02:44 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KingOfJericho View Post
Every time someone asks me who my favorite driver is (among the current crop), I still say "well Kubica is my favorite, but I like Vettel as well."
Was/is still my favorite as well, I still find myself watching the latter part of Canada '08 and his pole in Bahrain '08 on youtube. I have the newspaper clipping from his '08 GP win hanging in my garage. I still hold a grudge against BMW for basically stopping development on the F1.08 and pouring that money into the F1.09, Kubica was leading the championship after Canada.
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      06-08-2017, 03:26 PM   #12
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^ Today is the anniversary of that win....9 years ago. His first and only F1 win which was only a year after experiencing one of the sport's most brutal accidents after contacting Jarno Trulli at 180+mph.
Kubica is one of my favorites too.
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      07-06-2017, 01:16 PM   #13
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Renault give Kubica 'extensive' second test
http://www.formula1.com/en/latest/he...cond-test.html
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      07-06-2017, 03:35 PM   #14
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Love it. Go get 'em Robert!
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      07-06-2017, 06:46 PM   #15
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I was seated in the Epingle hairpin when Kubica crashed in Montreal. As he slid across the tarmac his head slumped to the right, a la Senna. My heart stopped. My buddy and I went down on the track afterwards and the impact with the concrete barrier (2 tons?) was so violent it was moved about 8". Shards of CF were everywhere still. I was also there in the same stand when he took his maiden F1 win. To my left was a group of of Polish fans (20?) that were singing the Polish National Anthem as Robert collected his trophy. I'll never forget that. He was definitely on his way up, way up in F1. His rally crash was horrific.
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      07-06-2017, 07:10 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90SLAM View Post
Great to see Kubica back in a F1, even if its just a test, and I don't think he will be competing in F1 anytime soon.
Ditto. I understand the feel good aspect of the story, but I think folks saying "replace Palmer, etc this season" are delusional (it's all over all the F1 news sites as well).

I would be shocked, and I believe it would be a mistake for both team/driver, if he ever got a seat and attempted a comeback. IMHO, his F1 career ended back in 2011.

In the modern era of "no" (or rather super limited) in-season testing with current spec cars, it's tough to make up those lost years. Remember back in the day how much in-season testing Schumacher did at Fiorno (before *his* comeback)?
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      07-07-2017, 08:48 PM   #17
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Shhh, you didn't hear it from me but he'll be in a Renault F1 next year....
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      07-08-2017, 09:34 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by Caliboy951 View Post
Shhh, you didn't hear it from me but he'll be in a Renault F1 next year....
I would love for that to happen, but I still think it's a long shot. If you read more into his most recent test, Renault modified the steering wheel to place all of the controls on the left side. That tells me he has almost zero use of his right hand, which we all pretty much knew to begin with. I'd be curious to see how he would do in the simulator driving a tight track like Monaco. The mobility in his right arm is still a major problem, and it's not like there aren't a bazillion talented, young GP drivers in the pipeline ready for a chance at F1.
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      07-08-2017, 12:20 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chihuahua View Post
I would love for that to happen, but I still think it's a long shot. If you read more into his most recent test, Renault modified the steering wheel to place all of the controls on the left side. That tells me he has almost zero use of his right hand, which we all pretty much knew to begin with. I'd be curious to see how he would do in the simulator driving a tight track like Monaco. The mobility in his right arm is still a major problem, and it's not like there aren't a bazillion talented, young GP drivers in the pipeline ready for a chance at F1.
Good point!
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      07-24-2017, 09:55 AM   #20
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Kubica to drive 2017 Renault in F1's post-Hungary test
http://www.formula1.com/en/latest/he...gary-test.html
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      08-02-2017, 09:39 AM   #21
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In-season testing in Hungary - including Kubica's return
http://www.formula1.com/en/latest/fe...n-hungary.html
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      08-02-2017, 01:06 PM   #22
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Kubica fourth fastest on return as Vettel sets testing pace
http://www.formula1.com/en/latest/he...ting-pace.html
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