Robert Kubica insists he will return to Formula 1 despite being seriously injured in a February 2011 rally crash. The Pole, who is testing a DTM German touring car on Thursday, is fighting to recover sufficient mobility in the right arm that was partially severed. "I still believe I can come back," Kubica told F1 Racing magazine. Continue reading the main storyâWith the damage I have, I cannot (ever) achieve 100% of what I had before - but I hope to improveâ Robert Kubica "It's not just a dream. Right now I have limitations driving single-seaters but they are less than they look from the outside." The 28-year-old has limited movement in his right arm, which prevents him from rotating his wrist and forearm in the way he would have to in an F1 cockpit. The problem can be surmounted in a rally car, in which he has been racing recently, and a touring car because there is more space to have his arm out to the side and use his shoulder. "Things are improving," Kubica told the magazine, which is out on Thursday, in his first major interview in two years. "It wasn't like this six months ago and it wasn't like this three months ago. "And thanks to rallies and tests on the race track, slowly my condition is improving - but there is still a long way to go. "When I have two arms on the steering wheel and I can operate everything on it, I don't notice a difference. "The strength in the arm is not what it was but if that was the only problem then two months in the gym could solve it. "The bigger problem is the limitation in the supination and pronation [rotational turning movement] of the arm and the limited functionality in my fingers. "But I'm convinced this will come back slowly; nerves need a lot of time and I see progress even if it's slow. I am quite sure this will be⦠not fixed, but not a big problem." please log in to view this image Kubica suffered arm and leg fractures and a partially severed wrist in the 2011 accident Kubica said his DTM test, which will take place at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia in Spain, was "important" because it will be his first outing in a racing car with significant downforce since his accident. He adds in the magazine: "Day by day, rally by rally and test by test I see fewer limitations and my goal is one day to drive properly. I don't think pace will be a problem. "When I drive it takes concentration and I forget my body's limitations. With the damage I have, I cannot (ever) achieve 100% of what I had before - but I hope to improve. "If the limited pronation and supination were fixed 80%, I would say 'yes' to coming back to F1."
I think he would be better forging a career elsewhere in alternative motorsports rather than pinning his hopes or future on the fickle world of F1.
Yeh I cant argue with that Miggins, but that just highlights some of the fundemental flaws in F1 rather than the realistic chance of Kubica being competitive on his return.
Sorry, really can't see it. He's not an up and coming newbie anymore. Without significant testing to prove he could handle an F1 car for a race distance again, it would be a huge gamble for any team to take him on now on the basis he 'was' a good driver before his accident. If after 2 years he hasn't recovered enough for anyone to consider an F1 test, surely the injuries are so severe that he will never get back to full strength?
I'm sorry too, and I'd love to be wrong, but it was clear to me when details of his injuries emerged that it was highly unlikely he'd return to F1. It is very sad but, as it is, he's lucky still to be alive and able-bodied; if he can race DTM even better.
The Independent reported on this yesterday, I've just found the article in the paper. Nice sentiments in the piece (nothing we've not already heard) but it would have really showed they cared if they hadn't used a picture of Nick Heidfeld.
you know what? I can see it happen. If he can be able to perform in a DTM car then he may be able to do the job in F1. I would give him a go!
I loved him in his previous guise, but two years out of an F1 car is far too long for him to come back from an injury and perform to the same level as he did before. Saying that, if anyone could do it, it would be him. He's one hell of a driver.
Saw the video with Kubica trying out a DTM car a few days ago and saw the movement of his right hand. He says he only needs 80% to get back into F1, for me it looks like that whole arm isn't even at 50% yet. Seems like he is almost entirely dependant on his left arm now even after 2 years, and he is still limping on 1 foot. Could be another 2-3 years until he is able to come back to F1, he could do 1 race, but 19-20? I don't think even 80% would be enough...
Kubiça's determination to succeed is fuelling his ambition to return; and when we have inspirational people like Alex Zanardi who just fight and fight and fight, it's warming to read that his mind-set is not too dissimilar; but I agree with the consensus here that returning to F1 is unrealistic*.- - -o0o- - - *I almost said 'hopelessly unrealistic' but hope is a personal thing and clearly there is evidence of at least that!
I would like to see Kubica make a full recovery and return to F1, but realistically it's not really on, we have guys at 100%, plus, fitness and only one of them is going to succeed each season, on that basis alone I don't see any way of Kubica ever being a top F1 contender. The moral is, if your'e serious about being an F1 driver don't piss about driving rally cars in Italy of all places.
So Kubica will be running in the WRC 2nd tier this year for Citreon http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/21655237