Robert Kubica dubbed by rallymen

Robert Kubica, a year later, returned to Var with pleasure. In 2009, barely committed to Renault F1 Team, the Pole launched into rally, his second passion after the circuit. After an initial apprenticeship during the Taormina-Messina Rally, he took the start of the Rallye du Var at the wheel of a Renault Clio R3 from the Chazel team.

This weekend, the Pole was driving a Renault Clio S1600. And, as in Antibes or during the Rally Trofeo Maremma, he amazed again. Boosted by his start to the rally and helped by the reduction in risk-taking by the other drivers, Robert Kubica moved to the front this Sunday. Three special stages were on the program, including two long timed routes of more than 30 km. The Pole was the fastest each time, grabbing seconds by the handful, finishing in fourth place and surprising observers and drivers.

Long battling with the Pole, Emmanuel Guigou – finally tenth after a puncture in the last special – recognized the progress made in 2010 by the Renault F1 driver. “ Robert rode really well, liberated. He had a very, very good race, especially at the end! », commented the Apt pilot. “ I take my hat off to him because he was there last year and he was fumbling a little. This year he rode very well. »

Winner of two World Championship Rallies and fifth in the Rallye du Var in a Citroën DS3 R3, Sébastien Ogier finished behind the Pole. Plagued by brake problems, he recognizes that the driver of the Clio S1600 had a very good rally. “ He was very, very fast all weekend », Confided the Citroën driver.

For his part, the first concerned recognized that his growing rally experience had helped him this weekend, to compete with the rallymen. “ I did a lot of rallies this year. Renault F1 Team offered me this opportunity to drive a Clio S1600, and I took advantage of it, especially at the end of the season. », recognized the native of Krakow. “ I had a lot of fun and gained a lot of experience. which will perhaps be important to me in the future if I choose to go rallying. »

With nine rallies under his belt this year, Robert Kubica is not far from having completed a full season! In the Var, he convinced himself that he could be fast in the special stages, capable of adapting to the weather conditions, and be consistent throughout the weekend. Qualities that could make the Renault driver a very good rallyman.