Q & A with Robert Kubica

Robert Kubica: The approach is very similar, or even the same as always. Still it is quite an important race for myself as we are coming for the first time into the last race where I am fighting for quite an important position in the drivers' championship. It is not fighting for the win but third place is still quite good, so the approach will be to lose as few points as possible to Kimi and try to defend third position.

Q. Will finishing third in the championship be the equivalent of winning it to you this weekend?

RK: I think it will be a good prize for me, from a personal view. I am quite happy with what I achieved this season. After such a championship finishing fourth will be just a bit of a disappointment. I would prefer to finish third. My way of thinking is that second is the first loser but third will be good.

Q. You say you are happy with the season, but how do you feel the year went?

RK: As everybody knows, we have done quite a good job with quite a good performance, especially in the early stage of the season. We had many podium finishes and a pole position in Bahrain and a victory in Canada. We led the championship after seven races, so the first half of the season was very positive.

The second half of the season we faced some problems keeping up the development of Ferrari and McLaren, and they got stronger and became quicker. Additionally Renault, Toyota and Toro Rosso were sometimes in front of us, so we lost a bit of a gap there. We were not able to keep up the pace, but we can be happy and proud of our season.

Q. Are you worried that the same thing could happen next season - that you start well but then fail to keep up the momentum?

RK: I don't know. I don't see the reason why it should be like this.

Q. Is it is big comedown for you after a great first half to the year?

RK: Well, still the season is not over. Most probably Monday will be the day when it all turns quite good. As I said, the first half of the season everything was easier for us to fight for the first two rows on the grid, and fight for the podiums. The second half of the season there were some races where I think I drove some strong weekends, concentrated on delivering the maximum from the car, and was able to only fight for fourth or fifth.

Plus we were losing the gap to the leaders in the championship. So it was not the best situation - but still I think we can say finally that this is the last race. We will have a small break and two weeks later we will start preparing for next season in Barcelona.

Q. Is there a plan to sit down with the team after the season and go through where things went wrong?

RK: I don't think so. I don't know, I haven't been informed.

Q. Do you think the team understand what you were unhappy with this season?

RK: I think it is not fair to say I was unhappy with the season.

Q. But you were with some of the decisions they took...

RK: Well, yeah. Now it has passed quite a long time (since then), so people have understood. We will try not to repeat these mistakes but you can never be sure. Next season is completely different and we will try to do different.

Q. What are the areas where the team must improve the most?

RK: This is my first team in F1, which I have been driving for. So I have no comparison. If we talk about the car, next year anyway is completely different, with completely different aero, KERS and slick tyres. So there are many factors that can have a big influence on the car, so I think next season will be completely different and we have to take out the experience of the last three years, improve, put in the maximum effort and try again.

Q. How do you drive differently up against two guys fighting for the world championship?

RK: They are in the same race. I don't see the difference.

Q. But what if it effects the outcome of the championship?

RK: I think I am racing for my team and myself. I am not racing for Felipe or Lewis. It is clear.

Q. Do you care who wins the title?

RK: Not really. Normally the winner has done a better job and has been quicker with the whole package, with less mistakes. So who is strong will win. Lewis is in a good situation but until you cross the chequered flag everything is possible.