Robert Kubica downplays chances of DTM move despite Mercedes test
Robert Kubica reckons his Mercedes DTM test at Valencia this week will be a
significant step in his comeback progress, but played down the chances of it leading to a race deal.
AUTOSPORT understands that Kubica is already committed to a European Rally Championship programme, having begun his motorsport return in rallying, and that date clashes make a 2013 DTM drive unlikely regardless of the success of the test.
Kubica said that he views the test, revealed by AUTOSPORT last week, mainly as a chance to assess his fitness in a racing car with high downforce.
"I'm really pleased that Mercedes-Benz is giving me the opportunity to test their DTM car and I'm looking forward to getting acclimatised to a race car again," he said.
"It will be in proper testing conditions, on a permanent circuit, and it's important because the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupe has good levels of downforce."
He insisted that he was open-minded about where the test might lead.
"It's still too early to make any statements about my future because of this one test," Kubica said.
"I'm just looking forward to tomorrow and we'll see what happens after that."
Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff emphasised on Tuesday that the test was primarily about Kubica's continuing recovery.
"I think what we want to do at Mercedes-Benz is give him a chance of doing a proper test in a proper racing car, seeing how he goes and how he feels," Wolff said.
"He's not 100 per cent fit yet. It's the first time he's in a car with downforce and I think we have to take it from there."
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