Robert Kubica has completed the test that might make or break his fairytale F1 comeback, more than six years after a rallying mishap left him with a partially severed right arm as well as a appealing career in tatters.
The former BMW-Sauber driver logged 142 laps in Renault’s 2017 car, completing fourth fastest with a finest time less than two tenths timid of that handled by present driver Jolyon Palmer in qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend.
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“It has been an incredible journey to this point, where I have responded to many concerns to myself,” stated Kubica, reflecting on his efforts. “I was able to work with the team’s programme methodically as well as I believe we made great progress.
“After today, it’s as well early to state what the next step may be.”
Kubica – who clinched his sole F1 win at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2008 – was invited to test a 2012-spec Renault in Valencia back in June, after which the team was persuaded he’d recuperated from his injuries sufficiently sufficient to make a full-time return possible.
While the motion in Kubica’s right arm stays limited, a further shakedown at Circuit Paul Ricard in the 2012 vehicle proved that the pole still has the speed to contend in F1, as well as a positive result in his latest run in Renault’s 2017 vehicle will almost definitely make him a competitor for a race seat in the near future.