Robert Kubica says confidence boosted by rally victory

The Pole returned to competition last weekend following the accident he suffered at the start of 2011.

Kubica won all four stages of the event and took the overall victory by nearly a minute driving a Subaru Impreza.

He said he had been boosted by his feeling during the rally.

"I wasn't looking for a result at any cost," Kubica was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I knew that driving is a bit like riding a bicycle, you can't forget how to do it, but I wanted to verify my psycho-physical conditions in a competition, and I got positive feelings.

"The road is still long, but in a few days' time I will face a real rally with a lot more confidence.

"Had my conditions been better, I wouldn't be here. But for now, having taken part and won the Ronde Gomitolo di Lana is enough."

Co-driver Giuliano Manfredi added: "It was fun. I have known Robert for some time and I had expected to see him agitated at least at times. Instead he was always calm and focused."

Kubica is expected to compete at the San Martino di Castrozza rally this weekend.