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PressClub USA · Article.
BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM - INTERVIEW ROBERT KUBICA
Mon Sep 18 15:45:00 CEST 2006 Press Release
Robert Kubica from Krakow came to the attention of the newly formed BMW Sauber F1 Team thanks to an impressive championship win in the 2005 World Series by Renault, and was signed as its official test and reserve driver on 20 December, 2005. After doing an excellent job as a "Friday driver" in twelve Grand Prix weekends, the 21-year-old was promoted to one of the two BMW Sauber F1.06 racing seats for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
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Author.
Roy Oliemuller
BMW Group
Interview with BMW Sauber F1 Team driver Robert Kubica.
"I was proud to be next to Michael on the podium."
München/Hinwil, 18 September, 2006. Robert Kubica from Krakow came to the
attention of the newly formed BMW Sauber F1 Team thanks to an impressive
championship win in the 2005 World Series by Renault, and was signed as its
official test and reserve driver on 20 December, 2005. After doing an excellent
job as a "Friday driver" in twelve Grand Prix weekends, the 21-year-old was
promoted to one of the two BMW Sauber F1.06 racing seats for the Hungarian
Grand Prix. Since then he has qualified in the top ten each time and in Monza,
only his third Formula One race, he scored his first podium.
Can you describe your emotions when you found yourself on the podium in Monza?
My first emotion was happiness, and also great satisfaction for giving my team
an important result. The fact that it happened in Monza is also not
insignificant for me.
Would you describe yourself as an emotional person?
Not really. In my job it does not help and I am lucky not to be so.
What did you do in the days after the Monza race?
I went to Tuscany to Dr Ceccarelli's "Formula Medicine". It is a nice place
where you can rest and train at the same time. The season is not finished yet
and I want to keep my fitness preparation as high as possible.
How was your reception in Krakow?
The people in my home town are obviously very excited, and it's a bit difficult
to handle the situation. From one side it is very good, but from another it is
complicated, especially for me. However, I am aware there is a small price to
pay in terms of loss of privacy when you become a public person.
Do you think more podiums in 2006 are a possibility?
I know now the expectation is to repeat this good result, but I am aware that
it is not easy. The difference is now I know it is possible, but each race has
its own story and I prefer to start each race weekend without thinking about
the previous ones.
How much has your life changed since you entered Formula One?
There have not been any major lifestyle changes for me. I have been racing
since I was very young and I am used to it. Formula One is very demanding on
your time and this means there is almost no time left for personal issues. But
it is just a matter of organising my schedule better, and in the end everything
will go smoothly.
What are the most important characteristics a Formula One driver must have?
To develop the car with his race engineer and try to get the most out of it in
all different conditions. And then push on the throttle!
When and why did you become interested in motor racing?
I was too young to remember when - you should ask my father!
What was your first vehicle?
It was a very small French car. I also drove a Renault in an F1 test in
Barcelona last year, but that one had a lot more horse power!
You moved to Italy as a 13-year-old to continue your karting career. How was
it possible for you live there on your own without your family?
Italians are very friendly people and I picked up the language quite easily.
All in all I have good memories, and when you are so young you don't need many
things. I sometimes missed my family, but the fact was I had no alternatives if
I wanted to compete in a professional environment.
What was the worst experience in your life?
My road car accident when I broke my arm. I knew sooner or later I would
recover but I didn't know if this would negatively affect my career.
Which one would you call your best race ever?
My debut race in the F3 Euroseries at the Norisiring. This was just six weeks
after my road accident and I won. I could only use my right arm to change gears
and had to do most of the steering work with my left arm.
What do you think about Michael Schumacher's retirement at the end of 2006?
He has made his decision and I do not feel I am in a position to comment on
this. However, my first podium has been with him, and I can tell you it was an
honour for me.
New TV footage of Robert Kubica will be available from the 28th of September
onwards. Please either contact Daniel.Schumacher@bmw.de (phone: +49 89-382
21881) or see Heike Hientzsch at the BMW Sauber F1 Team in the Shanghai paddock.
The tape will offer four chapters: Fan day in Hinwil, long and private
interview with Robert Kubica, meeting his fans in Warsaw, pictures from his
past.
Current images available at: www.press.bmwgroup.com