Robert Kubica, the Polish driver whose initial Formula 1 career was abruptly halted by a rally crash in 2011, has recently mused on his attempted F1 comeback with Williams in 2019. Now 39, Kubica looks back on that period as a case of being “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
After his stint with Williams, Kubica rebuilt his racing credentials, achieving success in the LMP2 class at Le Mans this year and clinching the title. He’s now set to move up to the hypercar category with the Ferrari-linked AF Corse team. In a candid discussion with Przeglad Sportowy, Kubica shared his thoughts on his racing career and future.
“I know that my professional life takes up 90 percent of my time,” he said, having recently renewed his partnership with Polish sponsor Orlen. “It’s like this: when I go for a bike ride, I think about racing. The entire schedule of the day and the year is subordinated to what awaits me in the car. On the one hand, this is positive, but on the other hand, I will soon be 40 years old and thoughts start to arise – what will I do next in life?”
Kubica has gained perspective over the years, particularly regarding his return to F1. “Over the years, I have come to the realization that you don’t have to race at all costs,” he stated. “I want to find the right atmosphere where I know I feel good.”
Reflecting on his time at Williams, Kubica acknowledged the challenges he faced. “The current situation gives me a certain awareness of mental comfort. The second thought associated with returning to Formula 1 is that from a sporting point of view it could not have been worse when I ended up at Williams,” he shared. Despite the difficulties, Kubica expressed respect for the team: “Honestly, I have a lot of respect for this team because there were quite a lot of people there who really knew what they were doing. Unfortunately, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
