[WRC] News & rumours (part III)

[Mariusz]

Yes but the point is Kubica's is having problems everytime, every rally, not sometimes like the drivers you mentioned. He had also M-Sport behind him in 2014 and screwed it up, now he has his own team but it's not good that either... I wonder what should be ok then.

At the beginning of his rally career he said that this is his way to learn where the limits are and he hadn't seen any reason to drive slow just to get points because it would be waste of time. And he actually didn't need points in last 2 years because he was not in a factory team. He needed points in WRC2 in 2013 and he delivered. But in ERC he was again driving very fast and making more mistakes as this was his was of learning. Before every rally he says he wants to drive in a good rhytm and without mistakes. And the pace is getting better and better, but mistakes are still there. I hope at some point he will stop increasing the pace and then there will be less mistakes.

[AL14]

At the beginning of his rally career he said that this is his way to learn where the limits are and he hadn't seen any reason to drive slow just to get points because it would be waste of time. And he actually didn't need points in last 2 years because he was not in a factory team. He needed points in WRC2 in 2013 and he delivered. But in ERC he was again driving very fast and making more mistakes as this was his was of learning. Before every rally he says he wants to drive in a good rhytm and without mistakes. And the pace is getting better and better, but mistakes are still there. I hope at some point he will stop increasing the pace and then there will be less mistakes.

That is where he has made his bigger mistake in my opinion. Thinking that way. I've always believed in his potential but he should have used these 2 years in WRC to learn, make experience, and managing his pushing moments. A mid-long term plan. I'm pretty sure that now, with Matton and Wilson desperatly looking for new drivers he could have had his chance. It's sad because unlike Raikkonen or other privateers he had hopes and real chances due to his undeniable talent.

[SubaruNorway]

Nice effort finding all those videos, I thought it was funny.

He missed an angle though
https://youtu.be/7DhuY3F3qKE?t=54s

[stefanvv]

That is where he has made his bigger mistake in my opinion. Thinking that way. I've always believed in his potential but he should have used these 2 years in WRC to learn, make experience, and managing his pushing moments.

He is learning, just not as fast he drives. When he wants to deliver points by driving slow, he does. Then he increases the speed again and makes again mistakes. I see some progress in his consistency, but he really need to polish his limits sometimes as we had seen in Catalunya, when he crashes his lines are wrong. Factory drive is far away atm, but I wish him good luck anyway if he stays in rallying.

[Mariusz]

That is where he has made his bigger mistake in my opinion. Thinking that way. I've always believed in his potential but he should have used these 2 years in WRC to learn, make experience, and managing his pushing moments. A mid-long term plan. I'm pretty sure that now, with Matton and Wilson desperatly looking for new drivers he could have had his chance. It's sad because unlike Raikkonen or other privateers he had hopes and real chances due to his undeniable talent.

Maybe it was a mistake, maybe not. The opposite is Evans' way as they started driving in WRC around the same time. And for now Evans looks to be in a better position.

[AL14]

Maybe it was a mistake, maybe not. The opposite is Evans' way as they started driving in WRC around the same time. And for now Evans looks to be in a better position.

Yeah, Evans has been somehow the opposite, nice comparison. I think maybe it was too much opposite. Or maybe Evans is just too slow for WRC, and every approach could have brought him where he is now. That's not the case of Kubica in my opinion.

[rallyace]

I'd like to see Kubica joining M-Sport for 2016. And before everyone dismisses the idea altogether because of its improbability, let's take a look at why it actually might just make sense for both Kubica and M-Sport.

It's no secret that Wilson is not happy with the overall performance of Evans and Tänak. It's not unlikely to see one (or perhaps both of them) not driving for M-Sport next year. With the drivers' market being pretty much set in stone (VW have all of their drivers signed, same with Hyundai, Citroën likely keeping at least Meeke), it's not a long list of names that Wilson can choose from. Most contenders in WRC2 have either signed for manufacturers such as VW and Toyota, others simply don't have enough upside to warrant a seat at the sport's highest level.

Enter Kubica. Yes, he's very prone to mistakes, which is something that most people would use as an excuse to overlook his talent altogether. However, it's easier (and more likely) to make a fast driver consistent than turning a consistent driver into a fast one. Evans being the opposite of Kubica has been mentioned previously in this thread, and I believe it is an excellent point. Using the two here, which is more likely -- turning Evans into someone who is consistently setting fastest stage times and challenging for rally wins, or helping Kubica overcome his troubles staying on the road?

Natural talent is hard to come by, but Kubica seems to possess just that. And with the help of a WRC manufacturer he could get the support needed to gain consistency. It's not just about not having to pay for the car and staff yourself, it's also about Kubica getting Wilson & Co. as trusted and experienced partners who could help him in the areas where he lacks certain things. Not being "on your own" could make a massive difference.

Simply being able to get into a car that is paid for, not having to find sponsorships all by yourself and worrying about having to use refurbished rims (see the Corsica thread where this was discussed) could help him tremendously. He would focus on simply driving and nothing else.

Kubica would be a gamble for M-Sport. A big one at that. But really, with no other drivers available (and even if Østberg becomes available I wouldn't pick him) isn't Kubica your best option?

Imagine Kubica being consistent in the WRC and how much damage he could do to his opponents. The skill and raw talent is certainly there, not to mention that M-Sport would have a likable and popular character driving their Fiesta, which would boost their image. Worst case scenario, M-Sport finish last in the manufacturers' championship, which is exactly where they are now with Evans/Tänak anyways. Best case scenario? Kubica finds consistency. And then things could get really interesting in the WRC...

So really, what do they have to lose?

[N.O.T]

Imagine Kubica being consistent in the WRC

[rallyace]

Oh, N.O.T... no faith in Kubica whatsoever? Not even a little?

[N.O.T]

Oh, N.O.T... no faith in Kubica whatsoever? Not even a little?

No he is hopeless at the top of the sport, he would be perfect addition to the ERC though.