Q&A with Renault’s Robert Kubica
Robert Kubica may not be in the hunt for the 2010 drivers’ crown, but if he can steal important points away from the title contenders this weekend, his performance in Brazil could play a critical role in the championship outcome. Kubica would like to hope that’s a realistic possibility, even if P4 in the constructors’ championship for Renault - the goal of team principal Eric Boullier - now looks out of the question...
Q: Robert, you were on the podium here last year. What is it that you like about this track?
Robert Kubica: It is a fantastic track. Although they’ve made it a bit easier this year by changing (the run-offs at) some corners from gravel to tarmac, which gives you a better chance to come back without any major loss, overall it is still a very challenging track. It is still difficult for the downforce level, especially as the second part of the track is very slow and it is there where you need good downforce, but you also have a long straight that goes upward so you also need good top speed. All these different components make this track very attractive.
Q: So from the memories of last year would you say that you like to race here?
RK: Well, last year’s result was a big surprise as we had had a very difficult year with BMW. Surprisingly we had a very good car here - and of course we gained some positions due to the first-lap accidents. It will be very hard on Sunday to repeat that result. The weather always plays an important role here, as when it is wet it is quite slippery, so let’s see what we will be able to do.
Q: How much would you say this track suits the Renault this year?
RK: It’s difficult to judge without having driven the car yet. A lot will depend on the general balance of the car and it will be difficult to fight with the three top teams because as they are fighting for the championship they will be pushing very hard.
Q: What do you think about the championship? A good result from you could really upset things…
RK: I hope that I will get in the position I was in Japan. Sure, the championship is on everybody’s mind - well probably not so much on mine, as I am not directly involved. There are still two races to go - two races in which to push really hard to finish a season that was working pretty well for us, even though we’ve lost quite a lot of points in the second half of the season.
Q: Has Fernando Alonso already won the title?
RK: How would I know? After Korea it looks pretty good for him and he has so much experience that even if he doesn’t have the quickest car it will be pretty tough for the Red Bull drivers to overtake him in the standing. But we have seen that so much can happen from one race to the other. My guess is that if he doesn’t lose too much advantage this weekend I think that to turn things around in Abu Dhabi will be very difficult for Red Bull.
Q: You could play a quite important role - some kind of kingmaker…
RK: If the car is working well we are fighting against everybody - no matter who - as we want to end our season as best as possible. My focus is clearly on us. Sure, this race here is crucial for the championship - and for sure the fans will get their money’s worth!
Q: Robert, you were on the podium here last year. What is it that you like about this track?
Robert Kubica: It is a fantastic track. Although they’ve made it a bit easier this year by changing (the run-offs at) some corners from gravel to tarmac, which gives you a better chance to come back without any major loss, overall it is still a very challenging track. It is still difficult for the downforce level, especially as the second part of the track is very slow and it is there where you need good downforce, but you also have a long straight that goes upward so you also need good top speed. All these different components make this track very attractive.
Q: So from the memories of last year would you say that you like to race here?
RK: Well, last year’s result was a big surprise as we had had a very difficult year with BMW. Surprisingly we had a very good car here - and of course we gained some positions due to the first-lap accidents. It will be very hard on Sunday to repeat that result. The weather always plays an important role here, as when it is wet it is quite slippery, so let’s see what we will be able to do.
Q: How much would you say this track suits the Renault this year?
RK: It’s difficult to judge without having driven the car yet. A lot will depend on the general balance of the car and it will be difficult to fight with the three top teams because as they are fighting for the championship they will be pushing very hard.
Q: What do you think about the championship? A good result from you could really upset things…
RK: I hope that I will get in the position I was in Japan. Sure, the championship is on everybody’s mind - well probably not so much on mine, as I am not directly involved. There are still two races to go - two races in which to push really hard to finish a season that was working pretty well for us, even though we’ve lost quite a lot of points in the second half of the season.
Q: Has Fernando Alonso already won the title?
RK: How would I know? After Korea it looks pretty good for him and he has so much experience that even if he doesn’t have the quickest car it will be pretty tough for the Red Bull drivers to overtake him in the standing. But we have seen that so much can happen from one race to the other. My guess is that if he doesn’t lose too much advantage this weekend I think that to turn things around in Abu Dhabi will be very difficult for Red Bull.
Q: You could play a quite important role - some kind of kingmaker…
RK: If the car is working well we are fighting against everybody - no matter who - as we want to end our season as best as possible. My focus is clearly on us. Sure, this race here is crucial for the championship - and for sure the fans will get their money’s worth!
Credit: Formula One Administration Ltd
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