KUBICA ROARS BACK INTO THE FRAME

ROBERT KUBICA hailed his “incredible journey” after his first drive in an F1 car for six years.

The Pole, 32, suffered multiple fractures and almost lost his right arm in a 2011 rallying accident.

But after years of agonising surgeries and rehab, he climbed into the 2017 Renault car for testing at the Hungaroring yesterday and was delighted with the results.

Kubica said: “It was a fantastic feeling for me to be here in the R.S.17 and also it was amazing to see so many fans come to see me out on track.

“It has been an incredible journey to this point, where I have answered many questions to myself.

“I learned a lot about the latest generation car, as there are a reasonable amount of differences between it and the Formula 1 cars I have driven in the past. I think we made good progress.” The man described by Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso as having had the potential to be one of the best of his generation posted the fourth-best time of the day. That has prompted talk of an F1 return with Renault expected to retain Nico Hulkenberg next term but Briton Jolyon Palmer (left) could lose out.

Kubica managed 142 laps, with 13 drivers testing cars. Only Ferrari’s Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, and McLaren’s Lando Norris were faster.