Q&A with Robert Kubica

Q: Can you describe your emotions when you found yourself on the podium in Monza?

Robert Kubica: My first emotion was happiness, and also great satisfaction for giving my team an important result. The fact that it happened in Monza is also not insignificant for me.

Q: Would you describe yourself as an emotional person?

RK: Not really. In my job it does not help and I am lucky not to be so.

Q: What did you do in the days after the Monza race?

RK: I went to Tuscany to Dr Ceccarelli's "Formula Medicine". It is a nice place where you can rest and train at the same time. The season is not finished yet and I want to keep my fitness preparation as high as possible.

Q: How was your reception in Krakow?

RK: The people in my home town are obviously very excited, and it's a bit difficult to handle the situation. From one side it is very good, but from another it is complicated, especially for me. However, I am aware there is a small price to pay in terms of loss of privacy when you become a public person.

Q: Do you think more podiums in 2006 are a possibility?

RK: I know now the expectation is to repeat this good result, but I am aware that it is not easy. The difference is now I know it is possible, but each race has its own story and I prefer to start each race weekend without thinking about the previous ones.

Q: How much has your life changed since you entered Formula One?

RK: There have not been any major lifestyle changes for me. I have been racing since I was very young and I am used to it. Formula One is very demanding on your time and this means there is almost no time left for personal issues. But it is just a matter of organising my schedule better, and in the end everything will go smoothly.

Q: What are the most important characteristics a Formula One driver must have?

RK: To develop the car with his race engineer and try to get the most out of it in all different conditions. And then push on the throttle!

Q: When and why did you become interested in motor racing?

RK: I was too young to remember when - you should ask my father!

Q: What was your first vehicle?

RK: It was a very small French car. I also drove a Renault in an F1 test in Barcelona last year, but that one had a lot more horse power!

Q: You moved to Italy as a 13-year-old to continue your karting career. How was it possible for you live there on your own without your family?

RK: Italians are very friendly people and I picked up the language quite easily. All in all I have good memories, and when you are so young you don't need many things. I sometimes missed my family, but the fact was I had no alternatives if I wanted to compete in a professional environment.

Q: What was the worst experience in your life?

RK: My road car accident when I broke my arm. I knew sooner or later I would recover but I didn't know if this would negatively affect my career.

Q: Which one would you call your best race ever?

RK: My debut race in the F3 Euroseries at the Norisiring. This was just six weeks after my road accident and I won. I could only use my right arm to change gears and had to do most of the steering work with my left arm.

Q: What do you think about Michael Schumacher's retirement at the end of 2006?

RK: He has made his decision and I do not feel I am in a position to comment on this. However, my first podium has been with him, and I can tell you it was an honour for me.