In the round-up: Lance Stroll tips new Williams driver Robert Kubica to help the team bounce back from its worst-ever season in 2018.
What they say
Kubica was Williams’ test driver last year:
Robert’s been very helpful. He just has a good view on things and he’s very passionate. I wish him all the best for [2019].
His recovery’s been incredible, what he’s been through I couldn’t even imagine. It’s great to see him back on the grid. I’m sure the team can turn things around and I’m sure that he’ll be a big help.
Quotes: Dieter Rencken
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
One step closer to being back on track for 2019, we've passed the FIA crash tests! 👊 pic.twitter.com/sBt1cZIAkI
— Toro Rosso (@ToroRosso) January 11, 2019
I love a screaming V12 as much as the next motorsport aficionado, but today's @FIAFormulaE was brilliant, close racing right through the field. Really enjoying this Championship. Still looking forward to Sebring though, best of both World's.
— Drew Gibson (@drewgibsonphoto) January 12, 2019
Great to see @LandoNorris reunited with the first car he ever raced (which happens to be one of ours!) #proud #F1 pic.twitter.com/39LrmgpyK5
— HHC Motorsport (@HHC_Motorsport) January 12, 2019
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Links
More motor racing links of interest:
Cost cap will be 'major distraction' to top teams (Autosport)
"We are exactly at the tipping point of where F1 expects manufacturer teams to be, so we need to accept to stand still."
Massa hits back at Piquet Jnr’s ‘f***ing amateur’ remark at Marrakesh E-Prix (The Sun)
"It’s not a great example to be honest, the things that he is doing the things that he is saying, so I don’t care what he has to say to be honest."
Training for future F1 stars (Formula European Masters)
"The 2019 F1 grid features a total of eight drivers who learned their trade in the Formula 3 European Championship that now will be replaced by Formula European Masters."
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Comment of the day
A lot of you were unimpressed with how the FIA chose to ‘punish’ Max Verstappen:
I’d be happy to take this punishment. I bet he didn’t have to pay for any expenses either. I’d be getting into more fights if I were him…
Anthony (@Antznz)
From the forum
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Ace, Kei and Diego!
If you want a birthday shout-out tell us when yours is via the contact form or adding to the list here.
MaliceCooper
13th January 2019, 2:22
Is it fair to say Piquet Jnr drives Massa “up the wall”?
grat
15th January 2019, 17:35
Kinda rich hearing Massa called an amateur by a driver who washed out of F1 in spite of literally going to the wall for the team– and then threatening the team with blackmail– and the team decided they’d rather risk getting thrown out of F1 than put up with Nelson Piquet Jr.
Gabriel (@rethla)
13th January 2019, 4:16
Robert will be a great asset but nothing beats getting rid of Stroll.
Luca Nuvolari (@nuvolari71)
13th January 2019, 15:28
I was about to say the same:)) it must have been a relief for the Williams family
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th January 2019, 6:05
I usually get sceptical when Abiteboul starts talking, but saying “look we are there now, do not force us to go irresponsible by making it last even longer” is smart.
Exactly because given the big teams have already been able to get an extension for the final cap, smart for Renault, which currently (goshn thing) isn’t in a position to increase budget, to turn that weakness into pressure on the other side.
DB-C90 (@dbradock)
13th January 2019, 6:46
I see it as somewhat of a gamble and I’m not certain it will be a good one.
He’s relying on budget caps coming and being enforced, something that F1 has been unable to achieve since the Max Mosely days.
Even if they come in, they’ll come in with a glide path that could see Renault well behind for the next 4 years.
Heck of a gamble – hopefully one that may pay dividends but the odds are not really all that good.
Jere (@jerejj)
13th January 2019, 6:33
I agree with Stroll although whether Kubica can actually help Williams revive fortunes remains to be seen.
Piquet Jr., and the COTD, LOL.
A relatively smart move by Renault although hopefully, it wouldn’t limit their chances over the next two seasons if a budget cap could, in reality, ever come into effect, and be both applied and policed.
greg-c (@greg-c)
13th January 2019, 9:44
If Paddy Lowe cant return Williams to glory , what chance has RobKu ?
kpcart
13th January 2019, 12:54
maybe he can? lets wait for Melbourne.
ColdFly (@)
13th January 2019, 9:56
Bird, CotD, and ‘a lot of you’ totally missed the point.
This was not about punishing Verstappen, but FIA creating free advertising for FE.
BlackJackFan
14th January 2019, 12:16
Clever premise…
Adam (@rocketpanda)
13th January 2019, 12:51
Isn’t there a hilarious irony in Piquet Jr calling Massa an amateur? I mean it’s so funny it’s rather embarassing. I mean Massa might be a rookie there but then again he’s never deliberately crashed his car.
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
13th January 2019, 17:17
Yes, Piquet could have managed the situation better. I guess Piquet isn’t expecting to have to talk to Massa in the next couple of months. Massa has been a very professional driver in the last couple of years, especially when he was unexpectedly recalled to Williams after his forced retirement. He never said a bad word about Williams. Piquet, on the other hand, didn’t come across as very professional in his comment on the RT.
Trayambak Chakravarty (@major-dev)
13th January 2019, 13:03
Alright, my birthday is 13th JUNE, not 13th JAN, but I’ll take it! ;)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th January 2019, 20:33
@major-dev I’m so sorry – I’ve updated it in the system. And happy unbirthday!
Luca Nuvolari (@nuvolari71)
13th January 2019, 15:32
Piquet Junior is an embarrassment to himself, his father and the motorsport in general. What a braindead
CHIKANO (@chikano)
14th January 2019, 7:26
I am not convinced of Kubica’s return tbh. I will however reserve judgement until Baku
grat
15th January 2019, 17:36
It’s definitely happening, and he’ll probably outscore Williams entire 2018 season at some point. ;)