Kubica admits Williams development role is a "good surprise"

Robert Kubica says that his role as Williams' development driver in 2018 has been much more enjoyable than he was expecting. The Pole joined the Grove outfit at the start of the year after Sergey Sirotkin got the nod for a full-time race seat.

It was Kubica's first F1 role since a life-threatening 2011 rally crash forced him out of the season with Renault before it got underway. The 33-year-old has enjoyed his new duties this year, admitting that he originally he thought it would be difficult to watch the racing from the sidelines.

"It has been a good surprise for me," he said. "I thought it would be more difficult to watch the others racing but, because this opportunity gives me a chance to live my passion, not as a race driver but with an active role in the team, it is rewarding. I don’t see it as a negative that I’m not racing and the others are."

However, Wiliams is suffering from a torrid season, as it works to get on top of its car's issues. Currently, it sits last in the constructor's standings, with Sirotkin conceding that even Sauber in ninth place is out of reach for the remainder of the season.

And Kubica thinks his impression at the team would be greater if the car was stronger: "In our situation, we are working on trying to solve things, so it’s a bit different to what my role was planned to be," he said. "In the situation where the car ran smoothly, I would have a big impact.

"On the other hand, I am also working on the simulator and trying to improve this area of the team. And I’m taking part in the technical meetings and stuff like this. It’s quite an open-minded position and that’s what I think is satisfactory for myself and for the team."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country RU
  • Date of b. Aug 27 1995 (30)
  • Place of b. Moskou, RU
  • Weight 71 kg
  • Length 1.84 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar