Robert Kubica believes his experience, as well as his stint in the World Rally Championship, gives him a greater understanding and acceptance of his and Williams’ plight, compared to other drivers in such a position.
Williams is in the midst of one of its worst slumps in its distinguished Formula 1 history, and lapped substantially off the pace throughout the 2019 season opener in Australia.
That event marked Kubica’s return to competitive Formula 1 action following an eight-year absence, with the Pole’s single-seater career having been interrupted by a serious arm injury.
Kubica’s rehabilitation included a prolonged spell in the World Rally Championship, during which period he ran his own team in order to continue at the top level.
Kubica believes this has helped him to sympathise with Williams’ plight, while his overall journey means he can spot positives that others may have overlooked.
“I understand [things] better because you are getting older and you understand different things,” he said after finishing 17th in Melbourne.
“The rally period when I had to run my own team also helped.
“It also helped to understand the difficulties you can go through as a team manager or team principal, because at that time I was three in one or sometimes even four in one: team principal, team owner, driver and even logistics sometimes.
“So it gives you a better overview, but I also think it comes with age.
“Coming back, I feel normal. One thing that’s different is that for me it is a great achievement and in the end it has been a long way, it has been extremely tough and it will be tough, but that is how it is.
“In the end with difficult situations I will never expect to leave Australia happy.
“I’m not fully happy, because I cannot be, but honestly with this difficult start and difficult winter testing, during the weekend I went through so many things which are new or which I had to redo after a long time. That puts me in good mental shape, which was important.”
Kubica also asserted that he and Williams were able to gain substantial understanding both of his personal development and where the FW42 needs work, following the first round of the season.
“I see how the tyres improve from Friday to Sunday, because of the track conditions, there were different ambient conditions, all these things you learn them,” he said.
“I had a good confidence that somehow what people think would be most difficult for me is probably the easiest one.
“And I take it as a good point but of course, as I said before, there are things which is normal, you have to get the feeling back, and especially sometimes it doesn’t help in our situation [that] we have to experiment a bit and understand things.
“And in qualifying even though it was a difficult experience we understand a very important factor which has a huge influence on my confidence, my feeling and general grip of the car.”
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