Kubica makes F1 test comeback in Renault
Strong 115-lap run in 2012-spec car at Valencia Team says it was a “one-off event”
ROBERT Kubica last week returned to the cockpit of a Grand Prix car for the first time since the serious rally crash that cut short his Formula One career in 2011.
Driving a 2012-spec Renault E20, the Pole completed 115 laps of the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain.
He said afterwards: “I’d like to thank everybody for making this possible. I hope it was a good day for everyone and maybe they saw something of my old, 2010 self.
“For me, it has been an important day from an emotional point of view. It has been a long time away from the paddock and I have been through difficult periods.
“I kept working hard and a few years ago I felt it was impossible. I have mixed feelings; I am proud with what I achieved today, but also it shows what I have lost.”
The test fuelled rumours of a comeback for the 32-year-old, but there has been no indication from Renault this could happen.
Kubica added: “I don’t know what the future will bring, but I know one thing, after working for more than one year to prepare for this, I ran with good pace and was consistent in difficult conditions. It’s not easy, but I knew I could do the job.”
Renault sporting director Alan Permane said: “This was a one-off event for Robert. His time with Renault was cut short so abruptly and we perceived such a nice future with him. The team was in Valencia testing with Sergey Sirotkin, so it was the perfect opportunity to offer Robert a day in the car and contribute to his recovery.
“His comments and feedback were like turning the clock back for all of us. It’s a tricky thing to jump back into a Formula One car after six years and it was a great performance from him.”
Kubica competed in the World Rally Championship between 2012 and 2015 and last year made a one-off appearance in the Renault Sport Trophy circuit race at Spa-francorchamps in Belgium.
He had been announced as contesting the LMP1 class of the World Endurance Championship and Le Mans 24 Hours with the Bykolles team in 2017, but pulled out of the deal on the eve of the seasonopening race at Silverstone in April.
“I have mixed feelings; I am proud with what I achieved today, but also it shows what I have lost” Robert Kubica ex-f1 driver