Autosport Plus

Mark Hughes: Trackside View

"Kubica is brilliant in how he brakes late"

Autosport Magazine Aug 15, 2007, 2:52 PM

A snapsnot. Friday afternoon, halfway through the second practice session, turn 13, the penultimate one, the long, long hairpin. For the driver, different each lap. The track is still evolving, the line of rubber build-up increasing the track's grip level at the same time as the graining rubber is decreasing that of the tyres. The two are as awkward as a pair of contrary toddlers.

In an ideal world, the driver wants to carry in a lot of momentum, either braking late like Robert Kubica, or braking early but coming off early too, like Lewis Hamilton. From there it's a balancing game up to the apex, trying to carry that momentum without over-stressing the front-right, trying to get the whole car to pivot on that little contact patch.