It is more than six years since Robert Kubica’s F1 career came to an end when he crashed a rally car and suffered multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand. The arm injuries were such that a return to F1 was deemed impossible and Kubica eventually turned to rallying, his F1 career apparently over. However Renault agreed to give him a run on Tuesday at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, at the wheel of a Lotus-Renault E20, one of the cars that was used by the team in 2012. Kubica completed 115 laps.
“I hope it was a good day for everyone and maybe they saw something of my old, 2010 self,” he said. “For me, it has been an important day from an emotional point of view. It has been a long time away from the paddock and I have been through difficult periods, I kept working hard and a few years ago I felt it was impossible. I have mixed feelings, I am proud with what I achieved today, but also it shows what I have lost. I don’t know what the future will bring, but I know one thing, after working for more than one year to prepare for this, I ran with good pace and consistent in difficult conditions. It is not easy after six years, but I knew I could do the job and I can be satisfied. I appreciate the opportunity. Renault gave me my first F1 test in 2005, so I appreciate another test this time around.”
Alan Permane, the Renault Sporting Director said that Kubica had changed a little.
“He is more mellow and he wasn’t as pushy when asking for every detail about the set-up of the car,” he said. “His comments and feedback, however, were like turning the clock back for all of us. It is a tricky thing to jump into an F1 car after six years and it was a great performance from him. This was a one-off event for Robert. His time with Renault was cut short so abruptly and we perceived such a nice future with him. The team was in Valencia testing with Sergey Sirotkin, so it was the perfect opportunity to offer Robert a day in the car and contribute in our way to his recovery.”
joeblogsf1 
Isn’t that great? I would love him to make a competitive return. A fine, almost lost talent.
Don’t forget that he was going to be leaving Renault to join Ferrari…
I seem to recall that after the accident, there were rumours that his management were working hard to get Renault to commit to paying him even if he was unable to drive. Whilst simultaneously keeping the door open for him to leave for Ferrari if he -was- able to drive….
Did he have already a signed agreement with Ferrari Joe, a pre contract?
What a great gesture
Well reported and verbalised, JS.
It is a story of interest to many.
Right in the feels
I’m in awe… What an incredible feat of human perseverance… What an example for anyone facing (physical) adversities in life. That’s what racing is all about isn’t it: don’t quit, you never know what’s behind the corner.
I remember reading the news on the day of his crash in 2011 – and now, 115 laps in a proper F1 car…
Respect Robert – and respect Renault for offering this opportunity.
I’d love to see the times with reference to Sirotkin if they used the same car?
/I’d love to see the times with reference to Sirotkin if they used the same car?/
They used the same car and word is that Kubica was faster by some four tenths. Do not expect any confirmed data.
If he was that quick compared with Sirotkin having done so little driving in anything in the last few years he must surely be a potential F1 driver still.. I would have thought being within a second slower was exceptional.. As with more time in the car he would be quicker. Alonso and Kubica at Renault in 2018….. One of the things that causes drivers to slow down as they age is getting tired of the travelling and F1 life and not willing to be as committed. Like Alonso (who I used to hate for being a smug son-of-person but now respect), he is showing no sign of that yet…
Anyone know how close to the pace he was? 115 (quick?) laps after 6 years away seems like he must be in great physical shape….?
I’d give him Palmer’s seat with immediate effect, if only to relieve Palmer of his continued failings.
This may be why you are not in charge of Renault Sport F1
Whoever fired Magnussen to keep Palmer should not be in charge of Renault Sport F1 either.
115 laps! Not to be sniffed at and apparently at a good pace. So the original injuries that prevented him from coming back to 2012 spec F1 have now been overcome. But the new cars are tougher to drive and faster, I bet he wanted a go in Sirotkin’s car too.
A wake up for current drivers, if Kubica could return he could be competitive? Enough to make some think about the safety of their seats perhaps.
I think Sirotkin drive his car the day before, and Kubica was quickest.
Joe – exactly what was the purpose of this test? It was described as a “private test” in the media. Is it just something that maybe allows Kubica in some way to draw a line under everything and help him get on with the rest of his life, as an F1 return is out of the question?
The purpose of the test was to give Sirotkin mileage and that allowed them to give Robert a try
Unfortunately Jolyon keeps showing the world that he isnt up to speed with his teammate or even close to it, surely Renault has room to improve on the driver front concerning Jolyon. If that is Kubica, unfortunately I doubt it…
Any real chances for Robert in F1, what do you reckon Joe?
I doubt it
What are the reasons for the doubts Joe? Assuming he was on the pace, and yes there are surely doubts about driving at Monaco, he’s only 32. Same age as Hamilton and 3 years younger than Alonso.
I’d completely written off his chances prior to this, but if he’s quick why not.
Remember this words… 🙂
Really glad for Robert, he always seemed like a very humble, likable guy. As happy as I am to see him back in an F1 cockpit, I can’t help but wonder the obvious question, is it too little, too late for him? Six years out of his F1 career have slipped away, and he’s not getting any younger. I would love to see him return competitively full-time (I think we all would), but I can’t help but feel that that’s an unrealistic dream.
Prove me wrong, Robert. You’ve done it before.
Why does Jolyon Palmer keep looking over his shoulder?
To see which bit of the car has broken this time?
To get out of the way of the people lapping him?
Well done by Renault! Did they clarify why they were testing with Sirotkin? Is Renault preparing him for next year?
Just one of the many “what ifs ” that spread across the history of not just F1 but Motor sport in general.
O.T./
Good thing Bernie is out: he’d be having emergency talks with Qatar about hosting a Grand Prix.
Not just an emotional day for Kubica, an emotional day for all of his fans… I don’t think that any driver, that has been absent from F1 since 2011, has been so sorely missed as Robert… I want him to come back, I wish for him to come back.
Rose tinted specs and all…
Bittersweet indeed…
Such a shame with his level of talent, I think he could have been in with a shout for the title had BMW not stopped developing or put everything behind him instead of working to get Heidfeld back on the pace (perhaps). After that for Renault he was brilliant and would have done very well in Kimi’s seat. He knows this but is taking a very mature approach to it, who knows, maybe all the hard work and spirit will get him back behind the wheel of an F1 car for real. Fingers crossed.
That was great for Renault and great for Kubica.
I say, Renault should put Kubica in the car as their race driver ASAP. What have they got to lose? Palmer isn’t delivering and the good feel story of Kubica’s comeback would at the very least deliver good publicity. And the potential is there. Even after 6 years away and with a damaged right arm, provided he can finish the races, Kubica is faster than Palmer.
Another feel good story after the Alonso adventure. Good on Renault and clearly the car was not staffed by a show car crew- I bet there was a long queue of staff who wanted to be there….
Putting him in this years car to replace Palmer would be low risk since it seems less and less likely Jolyons ever going to score a point. It would be a great story for f1.
It’s great to read. I hope he gets an opportunity to test a 2017 car.
Seems unlike a manufacturer to me to just do such a thing from goodwill particularly with Carlos Ghosne being very dubious of the benefits of F1. 115 laps is an an awful lot and must have been seriously demanding for Kubica after so long away. Just maybe…..
Do we know how far in advance this test event was planned?
Are other teams running “private” tests for youngsters, with older cars that are not covered by the limited F1 testing regulations? For example, it wouldn’t surprise me if Red Bull were rewarding successful young drivers with similar tests at their own F1 track – but it’s not something I read about in the F1 media.
It would be interesting to know how the FIA police these (if they do at all), for example it may potentially offer opportunities to correlate certain new aero parts, to enhance the teams powerful simulation tools.
However if such events always cost the huge sums Stroll Sr was reported to be paying, for young Lance to gain experience before the start of the season – I can see why it may not be worthwhile for teams to fund such tests on any regular basis.
Given how much hot air has been blown across the web about engine noise since 2014, I’d have thought an event like this would attract lots of paying public interest … assuming the noise complainers are prepared to travel to and pay entry fees at race tracks!
Well done to Renault for making that happen, and well done to Robert for doing such a great job. Hard pressed to find any F1 fan who isn’t happy for him to get behind the wheel of an F1 car once more, even if just for a day.
Though I loved seeing Kubica in action again, I got saddened to read the confirmation that he really can’t perform at the 110% f-1 drivers are required. So, does anyone know why he was given the test yesterday? I am sure the simulators results had given a good indication of his on track performance. Or renault was just being truly nice and that’s all to it?
All this talk of a return by Kubica is good and well, but how would he get a Super License if he were to return?
/how would he get a Super License if he were to return?/
As a former Super License holder he doesn’t need to gather points like youngsters do. Super License isn’t a problem, actually.
I’m surprised anyone asked why did this happen…
Then just now it struck me, how much we’re missing something significant. No, huge.
Bring the masters historic or whatever the name F1 championship up to only ten years maybe fifteen years old vehicles.
Now I see something that Robert K can get stuck into, maybe even as a team owner instead of driver, and both I’m certain possible competitively.
There must be a good use for the riches sloshing about and across the decks of superyacht behemoths around the globe, and I think I just found it. This racing of lunatic cars is the last refuge of the wealthy scoundrels and the new generation of the kind could use the kind of positive PR this tax offset would gain them. Meanwhile just like airplane accidents are rising fast because we bad farewell to the generation last honed in combat flight, so autosport is soon to be without the equal vitality of a generational exposure to garages, machine shops, and the cultural willingness to date to travel at speed.
And just look at the variety of names commenting, who I presume made the effort especially and otherwise are quiet readers. This is the loss F1 feels. But needs to act upon Wonderful, thank you for speaking up all who did.
Great drivers will always have a following, even after being a few years out of F1.
Can’t wait to see your notebook from Canada 🙂
I have a feeling that you might hear something noteworthy on Kubica there.