Kubica: Williams struggle has not put me off F1 return idea
Alfa Romeo reserve driver Robert Kubica says the struggle he faced with Williams has not completely put him off the idea of a Formula 1 racing return in the future
The Pole pulled off one of the greatest sporting comebacks when he made it back to an F1 cockpit last season, eight years after he suffered serious injuries to his right arm in a rallying accident.
But the 2019 campaign with Williams proved to be hugely frustrating, with the team pegged to the back of the grid and Kubica facing a huge challenge in going up against rising talent George Russell.
Kubica made the switch to become a test and reserve driver for Alfa Romeo this season, and has been helping the team with some free practice runs on grand prix weekends.
Speaking exclusively to Autosport about his F1 ambitions, Kubica said that a racing return was not a complete closed door for him - but it was not something he feels he would crave for if the opportunity did not come up.
"My history and my situation of the past years have shown that you can never say never," he said. "You should never exclude it. My situation taught me, and probably not only me, that even after a massive accident and a complicated comeback you should never say never.
"At the same time you have to be realistic about the situation. If I will get another chance I will evaluate that opportunity of course. If not, then that's racing."
Kubica says that he feels his career has a sense of completeness after he enjoyed a second spell, with his first time from 2006 until 2010 having ended so abruptly.
"I have been in Formula 1 twice. I made my debut in 2006 and somehow managed to come back, and that chance in 2019 was something special to me," he said.
"Of course it was hidden by the difficult situation we faced at Williams and by the lack of performance. But still, when you think about it and about my career, not looking at the results, it is still something really special to have been in F1 twice.
"For the future you cannot say 'no' as it is difficult to predict. But it will not be the end of the world to me if I won't get another chance in F1.
"And if there will be a possibility, I have to evaluate the situation first. I definitely don't want to come back and drive last all the time. That doesn't make any sense to me. But of course the opportunities are limited, so let's wait and see."
Previous article
F1 Portuguese GP expect 45,000 fans amid "crazy" ticket sales
Next article
Jordan: Hamilton should join Red Bull in F1
The key details the boosted Red Bull and held back Hamilton in Verstappen’s USA victory
As the 2021 Formula 1 title battle winds towards its climax, the United States GP added another thrilling act in the Lewis Hamilton-Max Verstappen battle. Although Hamilton aced the start, Verstappen and Red Bull took the initiative with strategy and were richly rewarded, despite Mercedes' best efforts as the race went down to the wire
US Grand Prix Driver Ratings
On a baking hot afternoon at the returning Circuit of the Americas, Formula 1 drivers were tested to their limits. As the pressure on the title contending squads reaches an ever-greater level of intensity, the foremost challengers again showed their class, but were outshone by a standout drive from the upper midfield
Why F1's misunderstood party animal will thrive in retirement
Three years on from Kimi Raikkonen's last Grand Prix victory at Austin, he is now six races away from ending the longest Formula 1 career in history. His friend and former Ice1 Racing rally team PR man ANTHONY PEACOCK explains why there’s nobody quite like the 2007 world champion and why F1 will miss him (but he won’t miss it)
The 10 greatest drives of lost legend Jo Siffert
It's 50 years since Jo Siffert was killed in his prime at Brands Hatch. The Swiss scored just two world championship wins in a Formula 1 career spent largely with privateer teams, but showed on numerous occasions in single-seaters and in sportscars with Porsche that he could beat any of the best drivers of his era given the right equipment
Verstappen exclusive: How Red Bull’s ace has become F1 champion material
As Red Bull and Honda go all-out for victory in the Japanese engine manufacturer’s last season of its latest Formula 1 dalliance, Max Verstappen finds himself thrust into a compelling title fight with Lewis Hamilton. He told OLEG KARPOV about his evolution into a world championship contender and why Red Bull's no compromise ethos suits him down to the ground
How Mercedes went from Austin practice domination to "very tight at the front" with Red Bull
Mercedes has been on a roll of late in the ultra-tight fight to win the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It started off well in practice at Austin for this weekend’s US Grand Prix, but Red Bull got closer as Friday unfolded and even seemed to find an edge in one critical area of what seems set to be another close contest
The six critical factors that could hand F1 2021 glory to Hamilton or Verstappen
The 2021 Formula 1 title battle is finely poised with six races remaining, as just six points separate championship leader Max Verstappen from seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. In such a closely-fought season, the outcome could hinge on several small factors playing the way of Red Bull or Mercedes
Can Whitmarsh appointment help Aston succeed where its F1 rivals failed?
Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll is determined to make the group a billion-dollar business. MARK GALLAGHER analyses his latest play – bringing former McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh into the fold
