Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Q & A with Robert Kubica

Robert Kubica knows that 2009 is a big season for both himself and BMW Sauber. After they secured a maiden win together last year, the only thing that matters to them this season is going all the way to the world championship

Yet so far, BMW's F1.09 has had a fairly low key testing appearance - making it hard to judge just how much of a step the team have made over the winter.

Autosport.com caught up with Kubica during a break in testing at Jerez in Spain this week to find out how progress was going, what the Pole was expecting from 2009 and what was his biggest surprise of the pre-season build-up so far was.

Q. After the weather problems the team suffered in Bahrain, you've found rain in Jerez. What are your feelings?

Robert Kubica: As you said, we were not really lucky with the weather - especially in Bahrain. Of course rainy conditions we can have also in the race, so it is also good to know what is the response of the 2009 car with the 2008 tyres in the wet conditions.

The sandstorms we will probably not have, but everything can happen! It was quite interesting to run in the wet as last year we had quite a lot of races in the wet and never testing, so it was good to do 70 laps on these tyres.

Q. How much confidence do you have for Melbourne with the new car?

RK: I think it is always quite difficult to say how confident you are. This is a period of the year where you are trying to improve the car, trying to develop and trying to understand most of the things that you have on the car. And you are also trying to prepare as best as possible for the first race. But where we are compared to our opponents, compared to the other teams, I don't know. It is more about being concentrated in trying to improve yourself and trying to do your best, and then we will see.

Q. In terms of reliability are you quite happy?

RK: Yes, it is quite okay. On the first day we had some small problem, but overall last year reliability was quite good and I hope we will continue in this way.

Q. With the new rules do you expect more overtaking, or do you think it will be the same?

RK: I think the same.

Q. All the drivers will use KERS in the same places then?

RK: If all cars will have KERS...I don't know. We will see.

Q. With the new rules have you had to change your driving style?

RK: No, not really. The slick tyre is a completely different tyre for working and for driving and setting up the car, but there are also so many changes aerodynamically - so overall it is quite a big challenge for the engineers and the drivers. I think we are in a good point. Of course there are some different requirements from this year's tyres compared to last year's tyres, but it is not a big deal.

Q. From what you've seen so far of the 2009 car, was it worth BMW Sauber stopping development of the 2008 machine so early?

RK: I don't know. We will see at the end of 2009 where we are, and if it was okay or not.

Q.How much more development do you expect before the first race?

RK: Some development will come of course. As usual in the winter testing, you are not showing 100 percent of what you have, but of course there is still quite a lot of time to the first race. Testing is also showing which direction you should go, so there will be some new parts that will come for the next test and Australia. I think our guys are working pretty hard to get the maximum out of the new car, and we will see.

Q. What was your first experience of the car like, and the first two tests?

RK: The feeling is quite good. I think this car has started winter testing much better than last year's one. This is very positive. We didn't have any major problems, although of course there are a few things that you would like to have done differently, but we are working on those. So, overall I am pretty confident.

Q. What is it like driving these cars with slick tyres and less downforce?

RK: No big difference. In some areas of the track you are quicker, in other areas slower. Overall from the tyres we get quite a lot of grip, so you don't feel such an aerodynamic loss of downforce. But in the wet it is different - you really feel less downforce, especially in the front axle in the high-speed corners where there is quite a lot of understeer. But it is for everybody the same.

Q. What do you think about KERS?

RK: We are working on it, and trying to get it ready for Australia - trying to evaluate a few different things. I think we are in a good point.

Q. You were concerned about the weight distribution that comes with KERS. Are you more comfortable with that now?

RK: Yes, and not. My overall view on this situation and topic will not change because in the end by adding a 30-40kg system on the car, and by staying with the same minimum weight of the car and driver, this is a disadvantage for tall and heavier drivers. So I have a bigger disadvantage than smaller drivers. It is like this, we cannot change it, but I hope we can change it for the future because otherwise it will become quite tight for the taller drivers.

Q. Have you done any more to lose weight because of the KERS?

RK: I think there is not really a lot to lose. I am not able to weigh 60kg or whatever. That is how it is and I will not change it. The regulation is like it is, I think it is quite a big disadvantage but in the end I have to just drive and try to do my best. That is all.

Q. You are probably the most penalised driver when it comes to earnings against superlicence fees. What are your feelings on that?

RK: Well, I think everybody knows our situation from the drivers' point of view. Of course from everybody's point of view we believe the fee is too high, especially as not everyone is earning like some people think in F1. For some drivers it is peanuts and for others not so. That is life. But anyway we have paid, so it should be the end of this topic for now. Let's concentrate on the racing.

Q. How do you intend to make a forward step this season to be able to challenge for the championship?

RK: The season will depend a lot on how competitive we will be with the team, with how the whole package will be working. Last year was quite a competitive season for us, especially the first half, so let's try to repeat this first half of 2008 in the 2009 season - and finish in a better style than last year.

Q. What is your personal ambition?

RK: As always, you start with the goal to do your best and try and do as 100 percent as possible. If the car will be able to fight for the championship I will try, if not I will try to do my best anyway.

Q. How will it be possible to develop the car during the year without testing?

RK: The same as it was possible last year and two years ago. The guys in the workshop, they know how to do their job and without testing their role will be more important, it will be bigger, as now it will be quite crucial to bring parts that are working 100 percent on the track. On Fridays you could test but there are quite a lot of restrictions on the engine mileage so you have to look out for your engines.

Q. Have you seen anything on the other cars that has surprised you?

RK: Yes. Today when I stopped at the chicane, I saw the Williams having some ears behind the headrest - although normally I am not watching the other cars!

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Q & A with Timo Glock
Next article The Weekly Grapevine

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe