Kubica gets first F1 practice outing of 2021 at Barcelona
Robert Kubica will drive for Alfa Romeo in the opening Formula 1 practice session of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix and will conduct Alfa’s Pirelli test running after the event.
Kubica, Alfa’s 2021 reserve driver, has already driven its C41 car at the Barcelona track at a shakedown event ahead of pre-season testing.
Last month, Kubica also won the opening European Le Mans Series race of the 2021 season at the same venue, sharing an LMP2 ORECA 07-Gibson Louis Deletraz and Yifei Ye for the WRT squad.
Kubica will take over Kimi Raikkonen’s car for FP1 on Friday, which follows Antonio Giovinazzi making way for Callum Ilott in the same session for last weekend’s Portuguese GP.
On the Tuesday and Wednesday following the Spanish GP, Alfa will join Alpine and Red Bull in completing test running on Pirelli’s 18-inch tyres – although Alpine will only be running on the opening day of the test.
“I am looking forward to being in the car again this Friday and next week,” said Kubica.
“Having last driven the C41 in Barcelona in February, I am looking forward to seeing how much the car has progressed since – both in terms of upgrades and in the team’s understanding of the package.
“Driving a Formula 1 car is always a special experience and I’m looking forward to contributing to the team’s effort in the midfield battle.
“Also, getting to drive the new 18-inch tyres will be a new experience and the first taste of the new world that will come into being next year.”
Alfa team boss Fred Vasseur, added: “It’s great to have Robert back in the car for his first practice session of the season and for the Barcelona test.
“Each time he gets in the car is valuable for us in order to tap into his extensive experience and get another perspective about the C41.
“His technical feedback will also be crucial in his runs with the 2022 tyres.
“We are in the middle of a very close fight in the midfield and every input from our talented pool of drivers can be the secret weapon that gives us that edge to move forward.”
Related video
Previous article
Ferrari wants clarity on F1 financial rules penalties
Next article
Seidl: Norris can break Mercedes/Red Bull championship lock-out
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Event | Spanish GP |
| Drivers | Robert Kubica |
| Teams | Alfa Romeo |
| Author | Alex Kalinauckas |
Why Bottas feels the time has come to be “more selfish”
We’ve seen five distinct versions of Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes as he’s tried to fulfil his own ambitions while being a consummate team player – two difficult, competing missions which have been challenging to reconcile. Speaking exclusively to STUART CODLING, Bottas explains his highs and lows… and why he still believes he can be world champion
Does Aston have a case in F1 2021’s big technical row?
Aston Martin claims Formula 1’s latest technical tweaks have cost it competitiveness – and that it’s the innocent victim of a regulatory stitch-up aimed at pegging back Mercedes. But is any of this actually true? It depends on who you ask, says STUART CODLING
How long can F1 2021's brewing title battle stay clean?
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have been evenly matched so far in the 2021 Formula 1 title race. Neither has been afraid to get aggressive against each other on track, teeing up an enthralling contest as the year unwinds. But is their rivalry destined to end in broken shards of carbon fibre?
What the Spain result tells F1 about the next phase of the Mercedes/Red Bull title fight
OPINION: Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have recovered from their pre-season woes to take three wins from the opening four races of 2021. But each time Red Bull and Max Verstappen have pushed them hard. So, what clues did the latest round of that battle – the Spanish Grand Prix – tease about the next stage of the season?
How Brabham’s one-hit wonder was boxed into a corner
The Brabham BT46B raced once, won once, then vanished – or did it? STUART CODLING reveals the story of the car which was never actually banned…
The changes Barcelona needs to provide a modern-day F1 spectacle
Formula 1’s visits to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya over recent years have been met with familiar criticisms despite tweaks here and there to the track to improve racing. With the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix largely going the same way, proper solutions need to be followed to achieve F1’s wider targets
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings
Often described as Formula 1's laboratory, the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona gave the clearest demonstration yet of the pecking order in 2021. And it's the key discrepancies from that order which illuminate who is excelling, and who needs to hit the reset button
How Red Bull’s deja vu set Hamilton on the winning path in Spain
An aggressive first corner move from Max Verstappen appeared to have set the Red Bull driver on course for victory in the Spanish Grand Prix. But canny strategy from Mercedes - combined with the absence of Red Bull's number two from the lead group - allowed Lewis Hamilton to pull off a demoralising reversal
