Curious Kubica conundrum

[Bagwan]

Could be that Robert has a snag on the comeback trail , as his insurance , apparently based on his not being able to drive in F1 , was paid out some time ago .
I read he was offered a Torro Rosso ride in Austin , but a one-off drive would have triggered a potential need to repay those insurance folk , thus was not worth it , even though the chance to show well might have lead to more potential for offers .

A comment after the article summed it up well when they called it a paradox , that he was still being hampered by his injuries , as they were the reason for the payout , and that was the reason for not driving .

I have no idea what the payout was , but it raises the question of whether a real contract would mean his wages would be garnished(if that's the proper word) , although it would likely just be covered by a sponsor , I'd guess .

Curious situation .

[Tazio]

If he gets a regular seat for like Williams, his contract would absorb the payback for payouts. (The attorney comes with the contract) However I think Kube is in his own right a pretty cool shark, but I think he just really wants back in, and only being, say "modestly rich". I like him because he has always been anti-establishment.:laugh:
I hope he drives F1 again, but their are a lot of good boys out there right now!:idea:

[Bagwan]

If he gets a regular seat for like Williams, his contract would absorb the payback for payouts. (The attorney comes with the contract) However I think Kube is in his own right a pretty cool shark, but I think he just really wants back in, and only being, say "modestly rich". I like him because he has always been anti-establishment.:laugh:
I hope he drives F1 again, but their are a lot of good boys out there right now!:idea:

It would be the "Cinderella story" for sure , with a comeback like that .
To come that close to losing an arm , and make it back in would be amazingly inspirational , if even to merit a test isn't good enough .

To be honest , with all the hoo haw that went on with him taking Jacques's seat , way back when , I never really warmed to him , but I did recognize the talent .

He's got to really show his worth here , though , as Williams needs someone truly fast , as well as a good mentor for the young protege .
Being "Cinderella" won't be enough on it's own .

I'm sure , like you say , the details could be worked out , if a contract is offered .
I sincerely hope he's quick enough still , as it would be a real press bonanza , and a real shot in the arm for team Willy .

[The Black Knight]

I have a lot of sympathy for Kubica but I can't also help but feel that his injuries are his own fault. He should not have been rallying and knew the risks. As much as I would love to see him back in a F1 car, there is also part of me that feels he had his chance and he blew it knowing the risks he was taking by participating in a rallying event.

Personally I'd rather see Di Resta in the car as I think he deserves it more. And there is no knowing whether Kubica's arm could hold up to a full season of intense racing.

[Bagwan]

Paul acquitted himself well whilst filling in at a moment's notice , to be sure , and would come with fans as well , so would also be a good choice , but if they are close or equal , it will be a hard one , with Robert's story .

You're right about the intensity of the season , though .
Whether a week between races at a few points in the season would be enough recovery time would only be a question that could be answered by a season in the seat , and that's certainly a risk .
Having Di Resta as back up to that might be of interest , if Paul would agree .

If Robert isn't up to it , perhaps it could be argued that he didn't fulfill the entire contract , and thus , the insurance doesn't need paying back .
If Williams didn't pay him , then they both win if he doesn't , in a sense .

It all becomes a no-risk try-out , because Willy gets a driver cheap , with that cash into development , and Robert gets a drive to showcase himself .
If it all goes well , all"s good , and if Kubica can't cut it , in comes Di Resta to stay for a longer contract perhaps .

It could work , or they could get Massa to stay , and keep the continuity .
Mind you , I get the feeling that there a little tension between Felipe and Lance at times , so it might be that replacing him could be the right thing to do .
I think either Paul or Robert would be at least equal , but likely better in the mentor role for Lance .

[driveace]

Dont think DiResta is the man His day has gone OK he stepped in at last moment at Williams ,but although the car isnt the best out there I thought his performance was at best mediocre and he didnt finish
I rate Anthony Davidson better (Slightly) and a lot nicer person too.
But hey guys at Williams its got to be Kubica or some young hungry guy who can take the car by the horns and drive the bloody thing .Lance has beaten Filipe and Stefal has beaten Fernando so all these older guys are beatable

[N. Jones]

I would like to see Kubica come back but is it too late at this stage? I can't see him coming right back with the performances he put in with BMW.

[Big Ben]

How embarrassing can Massa be, raising doubts about Kubica's physical ability. That's his best argument why he should get a seat at Williams next year? What happened with his pathetic retirement? If there's one driver that overstayed his welcome in F1 that's Massa. That whining little moron should have got the boot a long time ago

[Bagwan]

Just read a report saying that Kubica has the seat at team Willy .
Don't know if it's true , but it's said to come from Canal+ .

[Zico]

Baggy- I was hopeful but it looks like it's not true with Williams denying it according to..


https://www.google.co.uk/amp/amp.timeinc.net/thedrive/news/15985/nope-williams-f1-has-not-signed-robert-kubica-for-2018%3fsource=dam

[Bagwan]

He must be really in the running , though , to warrant more seat time .

I would expect , if he really still has it , to see some comparative times this time at least .
I'm guessing they can't hide them at a tire test .

If he is still quick , then this will be all about fishing for sponsorship .
And that should be easy as Polish pie .

[N. Jones]

I can't think of anyone else who could go there. I know Wherlein is a talent but he hasn't done much with Sauber.

[Nitrodaze]

Dont think DiResta is the man His day has gone OK he stepped in at last moment at Williams ,but although the car isnt the best out there I thought his performance was at best mediocre and he didnt finish
I rate Anthony Davidson better (Slightly) and a lot nicer person too.
But hey guys at Williams its got to be Kubica or some young hungry guy who can take the car by the horns and drive the bloody thing .Lance has beaten Filipe and Stefal has beaten Fernando so all these older guys are beatable

To be honest, in this era where the young guns are proving to be just as competitive as seasoned drivers, l think both Di Resta and Davidson are past it as well. Really, Werhlein would be a better option. As he brings a couple of years of experience and would definitely give Stroll the desired competition that he needs to improve. That said, l like the fairytale of a Kubica return. But it also leaves me with some trepidation that if it goes wrong, it could destroy all he had accomplished previously. Besides, it is a huge risk that Williams is taking in the face of very stiff competition. Especially since they have drifted from 3rd to 5th in the constructors championship. There is the risk of losing sponsors and loss of points if the project fails to deliver on its promise.

One thing that most people would say is that Kubica would not be anywhere as good as he was, in his BMW days. And there are two reasons for that; one he is slightly physically handicapped but mobile enough to do a full race distance at a competitive pace. Can he sustain that for a 21 race season you ask; which is alot more races in a single season than he has ever experienced? Secondly, he has been out for racing for more than five years. There is one thing driving a car fast around a track, there is the other of doing battle with other race on the track on race day. That said for those of us who have actually seen Kubica race, we would be certain that the second point would not be a problem. The real doubt is whether he can do a 21 race season in his present state. That, nobody really knows. And this is where the real risk lies for the Williams team.

[zako85]

What surprises me is that apparently some people at Williams seriously think that a fine racer can still come back into F1 after a seven year break. Have there been any precedents like this?

[steveaki13]

Have there been any precedents like this?

Luca Badoer in 2009? :laugh::beer:

[Starter]

Not F1, but Emmo when CART was very close to F1.

[Nitrodaze]

Luca Badoer in 2009? :laugh::beer:

Luca's return was not for a full season as is the case for Kubica. He replaced the injured Massa at Ferrari part way through the season after 10 years out of F1. His performance on his return was markly less than he was able to manage 10 years previous. Also he was not returning from a career threatening injury as is the case for Kubica. Kubica's case is very unique. Only triple world champion Nikki Lauda return after his horrific burns to his head to race with his sores still raw comes close. Lauda returned almost as soon as he was remotely able, not several years as the Kubica case.

[steveaki13]

Luca's return was not for a full season as is the case for Kubica. He replaced the injured Massa at Ferrari part way through the season after 10 years out of F1. His performance on his return was markly less than he was able to manage 10 years previous. Also he was not returning from a career threatening injury as is the case for Kubica. Kubica's case is very unique. Only triple world champion Nikki Lauda return after his horrific burns to his head to race with his sores still raw comes close. Lauda returned almost as soon as he was remotely able, not several years as the Kubica case.
I do know this. I was just messing around.

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[gm99]

If Williams keep Di Resta (or even Wehrlein) as a reserve driver with reasonable seat time (e.g. doing FP1s on a regular basis) who could step in if Kubica can't cope, the risk is probably manageable, as they are unlikely to compete for the drivers' championship anyway.

[Nitrodaze]

If Williams keep Di Resta (or even Wehrlein) as a reserve driver with reasonable seat time (e.g. doing FP1s on a regular basis) who could step in if Kubica can't cope, the risk is probably manageable, as they are unlikely to compete for the drivers' championship anyway.

BHe has done very well in the tyre test in Abu Dhabi. I think it is a done deal. And goodluck to the man. I am really looking forward to 2018 now to see what he woiuld bring to the grid.

[CNR]

still come back into F1 after a seven year break. Have there been any precedents like this? yes this year
Brendon Hartley
the Red Bull and Toro Rosso reserve driver split that occurred in mid-2010

[Nitrodaze]

still come back into F1 after a seven year break. Have there been any precedents like this? yes this year
Brendon Hartley
the Red Bull and Toro Rosso reserve driver split that occurred in mid-2010

Seriously dude!