Robert Kubica still aiming for Formula 1 return

The Pole is returning to competitive action this weekend in a Subaru WRC car at the Ronde Gomitolo di Lana Rally in Italy, which he sees as an important step in his rehabilitation programme.

Although well aware that he has not yet recovered enough function in his wrist to be able to drive an F1 car, Kubica has faith that matters will improve in the future.

"Obviously I would have preferred to come back somewhere else, but this is a more active phase in my rehabilitation path," he said in an interview with Italian television channel SkySport24.

"The hope is to be able to return where I was before [F1], and it's already a nice goal for me. But to be here in Biella is obviously emotional after 20-21 difficult months.

"Let's hope we can enjoy ourselves, without looking at stage times because in the end it's a matter of re-establishing the way of driving and helping the arm to recover better.

"Having been a driver for 20 years, my body is accustomed to certain things, and I can feel these things only while I drive, so we'll see."

Speaking specifically about his chances of making a return to F1, Kubica said: "I haven't set any percentages or deadlines for myself. Nowadays, as I said before, I'm happy to be here.

"In life sometimes you have to be content with less than what you would really like; and that time is now. However I say I'm happy to be here, I think it's a fine goal.

"I can't tell you what the future holds because I don't honestly know myself.

"Obviously I will do everything in order to be in full activity next year. These months I will decide what I will do, because I've done various tests on the track with high-performance cars, but I need to decide myself what to do, what I would like best, and see whether the F1 objective is reachable or not.

"For sure what I'm doing next year will be with a view on the future, maybe 2014, but honestly I'm not thinking of it.

"What's certain is that I'm participating here, at the Ronde Gomitolo di Lana, and then there's an 85-90 per cent chance I'll be at the start at San Martino di Castrozza with the same car [next weekend], and then we'll see."