Kubica: Blaming tyres "cheap excuse" for disappointing 2019
Robert Kubica says he will not use the "cheap excuse" of Formula 1's complicated Pirelli tyres to explain his and Williams' "unsuccessful" 2019 season.
Equipped with the grid's slowest car last year, Kubica struggled to produce consistent performances, particularly over one lap as he was shut out by rookie squadmate George Russell in qualifying.
The current Pirelli rubber, which has what is often described as a narrow operating window for temperature, is widely regarded as one of the key factors determining performance in modern F1 - but Kubica doesn't want to use the complexities of the tyre as an explanation.
"I think I am clever enough and good enough to understand what I should do with the tyres," Kubica told Motorsport.com.
"And still, it's not a driver which is choosing which way to go and how the tyres should operate, it's still teamwork.
"Of course, ultimately it is the driver who is driving the car, but we have exactly the same targets and exactly the same things operationally regarding the tyres.
"I see there is a cheap excuse for an unsuccessful season."
Elaborating on the challenges of the 2019 campaign, Kubica hinted at a lack of feedback that contributed to a "very confusing" year.
"I have my opinions on many areas where I definitely could do better, but I was not helped as well. With the circumstances we were in, it was extremely important for me to start the season with a good consistency so I could build up my comeback on this. Unfortunately, this didn't happen.
"Then there were occasions where I could perform and I did perform well, but they were hidden with some external factors. There were occasions where I definitely could've done better, and there were occasions where I didn't hear any answer, or I had no idea why we were so underperforming from day to day.
"This is something which is worse, because in order to improve you need to understand the reasons. There's no point of having a medicine for something which isn't causing your illness."
The life-threatening rally accident that had forced Kubica's original F1 hiatus left him with limited mobility in his right arm, and he described himself as driving "70 percent left-handed" in the aftermath.
But while this could've logically translated into a deficiency in high-speed corners, Kubica has dismissed this explanation, pointing to the fact that he had one of his best days of the year at a track like Suzuka.
"Sometimes we want to make people believe that Formula 1 is simple, but it is not," Kubica added. "There are a lot of factors which have a big influence on the final result, or on the numbers you see on the clock [stopwatch].
"One of the factors which is not influencing is actually my limitations in high-speed [corners].
"It is true that sometimes there were big variations, but it is also true that when you lack the grip, it is normal that you lose more in more challenging areas.
"Also you lose more when you have two-three corners in a row than only one corner, than a straight line.
"That's the fact. This is something where I'm sure my limitations are not influencing my driving, on this type of areas."
Previous article
A skydive that "upset" Ferrari, and more - Leclerc Q&A
Next article
AlphaTauri: 2019 success largely down to Red Bull synergy
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Robert Kubica |
| Teams | Williams |
| Author | Valentin Khorounzhiy |
How Do Drivers Stay Fit For F1 Grand Prix?
Ronnie Peterson and Jochen Rindt Tribute
#ThinkingForward with Juan Pablo Montoya
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. Ben Anderson looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says Nigel Roebuck.
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Is Formula 1 as good as it has ever been now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his teammate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen's emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber teammate's own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here's how Nick Heidfeld's career was chilled by the Iceman.
The nightmare timing that now hinders Mercedes
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton took victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite, for a change, not having the quickest car. But any hopes of developing its W12 to surpass Red Bull's RB16B in terms of outright speed could not have come at a worse time.
