Q & A with Robert Kubica

Robert Kubica: Well, inside is pretty similar as it was last year even though we have had a seat fitting. I am still using last year's seat so there was no big improvement, but I get a bit more space for my legs so it is a bit better, a bit more comfortable for myself.

Q. How much progress have you made in coping without traction control? Is the car easier to drive?

RK: At the first test in Barcelona we worked pretty hard on this to make the car easier to drive, and more predictable - especially in the acceleration phase. When we went to Jerez in my opinion we had a much easier car to drive and I think it was due to the changes we made as well as the different track and different tyres. It might change, and of course we still work on it and hopefully we will improve.

Q. Last year there were some reliability problems with the gearbox. Now the gearbox has to last for four races, how confident or how worried are you about this?

RK: Well, last year is gone. Of course it was all in all a good season for the team, but it was also a good season for getting information about what we have to improve. Looking back to winter testing I have seen a big improvement, especially in the last test. It was very positive and I am optimistic. We might have some problems but by the beginning of the season I am pretty sure we will be ready.

Q. Will taking care of rear tyres be the key to success this year?

RK: Yes, it might be. Especially in the hot races, or the races where we use the softest compounds and there is rear degradation and rear graining. For sure we will have to take care of a bit more to not overheat them, to not slide them too much. But how it will be, we will see. From the long runs in Jerez we have seen that the rear is not so bad, but we didn't have high temperatures so everything will depend on that.

Q. You are one of the new generation of drivers who has come into F1 recently, like Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen. What do you think of them and how do you rate yourself compared to them?

RK: Well, I don't rate myself compared to them. I have 21 drivers who I am trying to beat. There is a new generation coming and all of them deserve what they have achieved because otherwise they would not be in F1. Lewis showed last year that even without a lot of experience you can achieve impressive results in F1.

Q. BMW Sauber are slowly getting to the top of F1. When it comes to the title battle there is always talk about whether or not a team should have a number one and a number two driver. What is your position on this? Should a team always decide at a certain stage to have a number one and a number two?

RK: I don't know. This is a team decision but I know one thing. As I did in previous years I will try to do my best and try to help the team score as many points as possible.

Q. Talking about your style of driving. In the first year you forced your car into some understeer by delaying the turning in point and letting it slide. You needed some time to adapt yourself to a control tyre, so how will you cope with a car that should be oversteering without traction control?

RK: I think the whole thing with Bridgestone and adapting the driving style was done in the winter testing, so we came to Australia already with the set ups, and I knew what I had to do with the tyres to drive quick. We know what we have to do to make the car quicker without TC and how we have to drive it. I find it pretty nice to drive and maybe a bit more difficult to control the rear axle, but I am happy.

Q. Where have the biggest improvements come with the car?

RK: I hope that reliability will be a bit better.