Japanese GP: Kubica gets new chassis after Suzuka qualifying crash
Robert Kubica will receive a new chassis for the Japanese Grand Prix as his Williams Formula 1 team faces a difficult task in getting his car prepared for the race
The Polish driver crashed out in the early stages of Q1 at Suzuka after dropping a wheel on to the grass on the run down to the start-finish straight.
His Williams car ran off into the barriers and was too badly damaged to get fixed in time for the start of the race.
Williams confirmed immediately after qualifying that it was attempting to build up a new chassis for him, but was facing a tight schedule to do so because of the condensed programme.
A Williams spokesperson said: "We have parts but it's a chassis change so huge amount of work. It will be tight but they are doing everything they can and I'm confident they can do it."
Speaking to Sky after the session, Kubica suggested that a number of factors had contributed to the crash.
"It was a high price for a relatively small off," he said.
"I just accelerated opening the lap and probably there were a few factors that contributed to this.
"I put the rear wheel slightly off the track and missed the space and that was over.
"I was on the grass and the wall came quite quickly.
"I think there were a few factors which was contributing - I don't want to go into the details, but all stories started before qualifying."
Kubica will start from the pitlane if Williams is able to prepare his car in time for the race.
In addition to Williams's efforts to put a car together for Kubica, Renault's engineers are in the process of replacing the parts on Nico Hulkenberg's hydraulic system, which contrived to put him out of the second part of qualifying.
Hulkenberg was instructed not to change gears part-way through Q2, as race engineer Mark Slade cited "a major problem" over the radio.
Meanwhile, Kevin Magnussen receives a five-place penalty as Haas has changed his gearbox following his accident in Q1, but his grid position remains unchanged thanks to Kubica's pitlane start.
Mercedes: Ferrari Suzuka F1 qualifying pace came out of nowhere
Japanese Grand Prix: Bottas wins as Mercedes seals constructors'
Ellis named as replacement for injured Auer in Bathurst 12 Hour
DTM race-winner Philip Ellis will make his Bathurst 12 Hour debut this week as a stand-in for the injured Lucas Auer.
Winning MSR Acura "super lucky" with Daytona 24 gearbox scare
The Meyer Shank Racing Acura team was "super lucky" to win the Daytona 24 Hours despite its malfunctioning gearbox for most of the race, according to team boss Michael Shank.
Bourdais “surprised” Cadillac was beaten on pace in Daytona 24 Hours
Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac driver Sebastien Bourdais said he was surprised that the victorious Acura ARX-06 outperformed his new V-LMDh in the Daytona 24 Hours IMSA SportsCar Championship season opener.
Daytona 24: MSR Acura opens GTP era with win, Proton snatches LMP2 by 0.016s
Meyer Shank Racing scored its second consecutive victory in the Daytona 24 Hours in the first race for the IMSA SportsCar Championship's new GTP regulations, leading an Acura 1-2 finish.
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
What difference did F1's fastest pitstops of 2022 make?
While a quick pitstop can make all the difference to the outcome of a Formula 1 race, most team managers say consistency is more important than pure speed. MATT KEW analyses the fastest pitstops from last season to see which ones – if any – made a genuine impact
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.