Robert Kubica is contention for a return to the Formula 1 grid with Williams, as the Polish driver, who is currently Williams’ reserve driver could be drafted in, if Lance Stroll leaves for Racing Point Force India.
Paddy Lowe has suggested that Kubica is almost certain to race for Williams this season, if Stroll leaves in the next few weeks.
“We don’t really have to do anything because Robert Kubica is our reserve driver.
“All we can do is wait for events to unfold, but it’s not a certainty that anything will unfold. At the moment we are focusing on working with Sergey and Lance,” Paddy Lowe said when asked about the entire Stroll-Kubica situation.
However, the rumour mill suggests that Kubica will not be driving in all of the remaining races if such an incident occurs. Ocon, who will find himself out of a seat because of Stroll’s transfer would then be driving for Williams.
Polish Journalist recently asked Kubica about the entire Stroll situation and how Paddy Lowe had suggested that Kubica would take up Stroll’s seat. Kubica very calmly stated that if Lowe said so, that must be the case.
However, he also confirmed that just because he gets to be in the car after Stroll leaves(this season), he will not be guaranteed all the races(because of Ocon’s imminent transfer).
“Back in the day, the main point was “how much?”. But not how much the driver brings into the team, like it is now, but how much he wants for his work. Now it’s different, I guess that’s just the way it is in Formula 1. I’m more used to a different paddock. I guess priorities have changed.” Kubica said.
Q.British media keep saying what Paddy Lowe confirmed on Saturday, that you’re ready to fill in the seat freed up in Williams if needs be. Does that mean, that if Lance Stroll switches teams before the end of the season, you’re automatically back in F1?
A. If they say so, then that’s probably the way it is… As I said, when you sign a contract you accept certain obligations. And since it’s signed by both parties it means there’s will on both sides, but… The fact that I can get in the car does not automatically mean I’ll be allowed to drive all races.(Interview in onet.pl)
Kubica went onto say that if he was in Ocon’s place he wouldn’t really want to drive this year’s Williams car.
“If I was in Ocon’s place, I wouldn’t want to finish this season in a Williams (laughter). It’s weird that so many rumours come directly out of the team. I just do my job and that’s it.” Kubica said.
Kubica also expressed concern over the current state of F1, wherein drivers who come in with cash are given more preference than those who come in with the zeal to perform and work hard.
English translation of the entire interview(credits to u/shkolnikk)
Lots of speculations around the paddock since Force India got a new owner. Lots of emotions. How do you feel about all this?
For me it’s more speculations than emotions and speculations should not generate emotions, they don’t do it for me, anyway. It’s true that a lot has happened in Formula 1’s world in August. There were a lot of moves and many conjectures were made but when it comes to me, It doesn’t matter that much. Some of them, yes, but it’s not like all of a sudden some door has opened or closed for me.
Didn’t you count on such situation to occur with the driver moves, though? If one of the racing drivers leaves, you’re the reserve one.
No, I didn’t count on it. I just want to drive a Formula 1 car. These days the rules are not favourable for that as there are almost no test days and even if they occur, they’re very limited but I managed to drive the car a couple times. That was my priority – get in the car and do some laps in F1, but of course – when you sign a contract you have to be a professional and if something happens you have to get in the car and do your job.
British media keep saying what Paddy Lowe confirmed on Saturday, that you’re ready to fill in the seat freed up in Williams if needs be. Does that mean, that if Lance Stroll switches teams before the end of the season, you’re automatically back in F1?
If they say so, then that’s probably the way it is… As I said, when you sign a contract you accept certain obligations. And since it’s signed by both parties it means there’s will on both sides, but… The fact that I can get in the car does not automatically mean I’ll be allowed to drive all races.
It makes one wonder, if it’s really such a simple choice from your point of view. For your fans, it’s a dream come true, but we probably think more “short-term” than you.
My road to start a race in Formula 1 was long and it’s not over yet. Whether I get a drive this year or not is not up to me, but let’s be honest – sometimes it’s not a “dream come true” when you realise how all of this works. On one hand, it would be a great “prize” to have such ending, the happy end you wait for, the way it should be. But this is the way the Formula 1 paddock is and situation changes dramatically. Especially at Williams.
You said your comeback wouldn’t mean you were back for all races, but there are also rumours around the paddock that you could get a few races and then the rest of the season would go to, for example, Esteban Ocon…
That doesn’t concern me. If I was in Ocon’s place, I wouldn’t want to finish this season in a Williams (laughter). It’s weird that so many rumours come directly out of the team. I just do my job and that’s it.
Stoffel Vandoorne said that when you’re defending your seat in a bad car you can’t show your true potential.
I don’t think he discovered America with that statement. It’s not something that we didn’t know until today, but… Is this a question about me or Vandoorne?
About you.
About me? I don’t have to show my potential, not in one race and not in a couple of races. If I’m given a drive, when it comes to these things, I’m not worried.
It appears that you have a choice to make: either short-term benefits, if it all works out or fight for the long-term ones, because it’s still your goal to be back for an entire F1 season?
That’s right. That’s the goal…
There’s a conflict. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, isn’t it?
I don’t know, I’m not sure how it’s going to be either. The situation can change dramatically and the thing is, it’s all speculations. Formula 1 has changed a lot, because 10 years ago, in August, at Spa, you would talk about racing not made-up rumours. And I’m here to do my job – sport. Not to gossip. Out of the questions you asked me, 90% are simply speculations. We can wonder if Raikkonen goes to Williams and Sirotkin to Ferrari and I’m gonna say it came from the team. Write about it!
So we wait for facts?
Wait? I’m just going to keep doing my thing. I never speculated and I’m not planning to now when I’m 33 years old. Talk about things I have no influence on.
Jacques Villeneuve said that these days in Formula 1 instead of choosing the best drivers you choose out of these who bring the most money…
Back in the day, the main point was “how much?”. But not how much the driver brings into the team, like it is now, but how much he wants for his work. Now it’s different, I guess that’s just the way it is in Formula 1. I’m more used to a different paddock. I guess priorities have changed…
