Kubica's fight, from his crash to his return to F1

On November 14, 2010, Robert Kubica ended his 2010 season with a satisfactory fifth place at the wheel of the Renault R30. At that time, we think that the 26-year-old driver has time to take the French brand to the forefront, because he was renewed for 2011. But, after the winter tests in Valencia (Spain), his future , his life is called into question.

On February 6, 2011, while he was competing in rally Ronde di Andora on a Skoda Fabia S2000 near Genoa (Italy), fate changes. By hitting a safety rail, the slide penetrates the passenger compartment and seriously injures the pilot.

Co-pilot Jakub Gerber then explained : “After sliding, the car hit a guardrail. Then we got into the second one. He pierced the car and I quickly realized it was serious. Robert had a bruise under his eyes after hitting the steering wheel. He lost consciousness and I went out through the window because the door was boarded up. »

Robert Kubica's right hand, right arm and right leg are seriously injured. Surgeons also detected internal bleeding, but were more concerned about the right hand of the winner of the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix. The nerve endings were affected but amputation was fortunately avoided.

We then think it lost for the F1, because his right arm can no longer move normally. However, the cockpit of an F1 is extremely cramped and requires specific movements. He will then concentrate on the rally, the driving being certainly more nervous but above all allowing more comfort in the passenger compartment.  

In rehabilitation during 2011, Robert Kubica returned to driving a rally car a year and a half after his accident, at the beginning of September 2012. Aboard a Subaru Impreza WRC, he won the Ronde Gomitolo di Lana. Comforted in his new direction, he set up a program in the European Rally Championship (ERC) and World Rally Championship 2 (WRC2) with a Citroën DS3 RRC for 2013.

Revelation! Robert Kubica is doing very well. He won five victories in WRC2 as well as the title in the category. “When I started in Portugal, it was my first gravel rally and I had to find the answers to the hundreds of questions I had. Then, each event was totally different from the previous ones, including on asphalt”, he recounted at the time.

Building on this success, he attempted the adventure with the big WRCs in 2014 and 2015. Very fast, he however has difficulty channeling the power of his Ford Fiesta. Evil tongues will not fail to establish a link between Robert Kubica and Kris Meeke in the propensity to crease the sheet metal…

Ranked 12th in the 2015 season, the Pole then turned away from the WRC. Self-financing a global campaign is a considerable obstacle when progress is slow to come. The circuit sirens will then sound.

In 2016, here he is involved in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 at the 12 Hours of Mugello, then at Spa-Francorchamps as part of the Renault Sport Trophy. Two relatively confidential releases (3rd with the Renault RS01 anyway) which allow him to immerse himself without pressure in the atmosphere of the circuits, and also to prepare to aim higher.

Everything accelerates in 2017. We first think it aligned in Endurance with the ByKolles team, but the former BMW-Sauber driver in F1 does not follow up after private tests. A discreet test of a Formula e in May leads to nothing.

On June 6 of the same year, he was finally back behind the wheel of an F1. In a twist of fate, Renault offered him two test runs with the 20 Lotus Renault E2012 in Valence and Le Castellet (Var).

The French manufacturer is excited and gives it a test with the Renault RS 17 at the Hungaroring (Hungary) as part of the official F1 tests. He completed the distance of 2 races with 142 laps covered. Extremely popular in his country, Robert Kubica arouses real enthusiasm among Polish fans, who come en masse for this day and thank the French team.

But the doors remain closed for a 2018 steering wheel. Moreover, Robert Kubica is not blind to the difficulty of a comeback. “I am very realistic and I know that the chances of finding a full-time drive in F1 are very slim. I discover my new limits every day, but I always hoped to have at least one day the chance to come back”, He explains.

Salvation will come from Williams, in two times. The Pole must prove himself in a three-way match against Paul di Resta and Sergey Sirotkin for the teammate position. Lance stroll in autumn. With the Scotsman eliminated, the two finalists are decided after a duel in Abu Dhabi.

The Russian's glitches (officially, better results in lap times in the Middle East) made the difference. Robert Kubica is, however, kept in the English team as a reserve and development driver. “My ultimate goal remains to race in F1 again and this post is an important step in that direction”, he emphasizes.

With better technical background than his young colleague, Robert Kubica is helped by a Polish partner, which is ready to put “12 to 15 million dollars” on Claire Williams' desk. On November 22, 2018, the long road to the F1 starting grid resulted in a Williams starting contract for the 2019 season. An example of pugnacity that deserves respect!