Robert Kubica has been welcomed back to Formula 1 by rivals Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, who rate him as one of the best drivers they have competed against.
Williams announced today Kubica will make his return to F1 racing next year following an eight-year absence.“I raced him from karting days so I’ve known him for a long, long time,” said Hamilton in today’s FIA press conference. “He was always one of the most talented drivers that I had the pleasure of racing against.”
Kubica suffered serious arm and chest injuries in a rally crash in 2011. Following a long rehabilitation he came close to landing an F1 seat for this season, but instead spent the year as Williams test driver.
“I know he has had a really difficult time over the last God knows how many years now,” Hamilton continued, “it’s just great to see he’s got the opportunity back.
“I hope he works hard on his strength and getting his mind back into gear like he was in the past and I think it’s exciting for the sport to see him back in action.”
Hamilton joked he had another reason to celebrate Kubica’s return. “I’m so happy he’s coming back, because Fernando is leaving and I was going to be the second-oldest driver but now I still remain the third. I can’t tell you how happy I am about that.”
Alonso, who will not race in F1 next year, said Kubica is “one the great talents the sport has had.”
“It’s great to see him back to race,” Alonso added. “It remains to be seen what will be the performance of the car, and his own performance, because we only saw a couple of test days. But if he is at 100% he will be amazing to watch, so happy with him.”
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Jere (@jerejj)
22nd November 2018, 18:38
Kubica’s only a month older than Hamilton, though.
TurboBT
23rd November 2018, 8:41
it was a joke.
Steven Robertson (@emu55)
22nd November 2018, 18:40
A daft question, but does anyone broadcast these press conferences?
Joao (@johnmilk)
22nd November 2018, 19:23
Cough* they are on YouTube cough* very legal cough* until FOM takes them out, hurry
Btw long questions guy is back. We should have the weekly racing lines article about him
Joao (@johnmilk)
22nd November 2018, 19:24
Also, the best bits are on F1’s YouTube official page
Asanator (@asanator)
22nd November 2018, 21:37
Sky in the uk
AMG44 (@amg44)
22nd November 2018, 20:07
My best memory of Kubica is Vettel-Kubica crash in the opening race of 2009 season. New regulations and BMW were expected to be so strong. Than Vettel almost crying on the radio and was still driving a very damaged car hoping it could make it to the end. And offcourse his sole win in 2008 Canadian GP after Lewis had a shocker in the pits.
Damon (@damon)
22nd November 2018, 21:38
“But if he is at 100% he will be amazing to watch, so happy with him.”
If Robert is at 100% then it will be even sadder to watch – a brilliant talent wasting time in a garbage car called Williams. This reality will hit and I’m afraid it might actually hurt Robert’s career in F1.
Ben (@scuderia29)
23rd November 2018, 0:44
Hard to believe him being given this amazing opportunity after 8 years away from f1 could possibly hurt his career
TurboBT
23rd November 2018, 8:44
don’t get me wrong but he can’t be at his 100%. It’ll be impossible to keep up with his teammate. If williams are competitive they will drop Kubica immediately, unfortunately the truth.
bob80
23rd November 2018, 16:13
He can’t be picky, for stronger teams it is just too much risk. If he, however, proves himself at Williams in 2019 who knows what is going to happen.
xman
22nd November 2018, 21:38
Alonso Kubica would be the best team mates ever.
But 2012 Ferrari dream team will never come back :(
DB-C90 (@dbradock)
23rd November 2018, 4:45
I seriously doubt he’ll be at 100% after being away for so long and with what is a pretty serious physical impediment.
Nevertheless, it’s a great story, one which may well be mellowed if Williams deliver a dog of a car like they did this year.
Still plenty of champion drivers were able to demonstrate their talent in Minardi, HRT etc which is about where Williams is at.
Trayambak Chakravarty (@major-dev)
23rd November 2018, 11:17
I still cannot believe that I saw an entire generation of drivers go from getting all the ‘youngest’ titles to being some of the elder statesmen of the grid, before I turn 20!