Robert Kubica - Could he replace Palmer in 2017?

[Cheeveer]

Bottom post of the previous page:

Replacing Palmer mid-season would be his golden opportunity. Minimum pressure and a friendly environment. I think all he needs to do now is too win over the skeptics (but how?) and just wait for more mistakes from Palmer.

[kals]

According to reports, Kubica completed 115 laps in a 2012 spec Renault which included long runs, short runs and quali simulations.

[MonteCristo]

Would love to see him back. And Palmer has had his chance, and pretty much blown it in all but one or two races (which weren't spectacular either).

But I honestly can't see Robert coming back. I mean, what has he raced lately? An E Prix or something?

[Everso Biggyballies]

But I honestly can't see Robert coming back. I mean, what has he raced lately? An E Prix or something?

That.
I reckon this whole thing is just Diversionary PR and more a thank you for past services to detract from their current woeful #2 driver and also car issues like the non arrival of an updated motor this weekend. It is one thing to lap a 5 year old GP car on old rubber in a test session, but to lap for a full race distance in a current High G force spec car and tyres. But then I always thought Robert was a bit overrated so maybe that is influencing my thoughts.

[kals]

But I honestly can't see Robert coming back. I mean, what has he raced lately? An E Prix or something?

That.
I reckon this whole thing is just Diversionary PR and more a thank you for past services to detract from their current woeful #2 driver and also car issues like the non arrival of an updated motor this weekend. It is one thing to lap a 5 year old GP car on old rubber in a test session, but to lap for a full race distance in a current High G force spec car and tyres. But then I always thought Robert was a bit overrated so maybe that is influencing my thoughts.

As did I. But he's better than a few current crop drivers though. The point you make about current spec cars is mentioned in the article I posted on the previous page. At the moment it is just conjecture, but when you link together the single seater activities Robert has been doing in 2017 (tests, cars, circuits, etc...) there is something purposeful about what is going on. I'll leave it for Mark Hughes to finish off the point...

Could here be a place for him? Renault is clearly interested enough to give him a very serious test. Speculation rages about whether Jolyon Palmer will get to see out this season (with Sirotkin, Pierre Gasly and Felipe Nasr all in the mix as possible short-term replacements) while others in talks with the team for 2018 include Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz and Sergio Pérez. All Kubica can do is prove by the sheer force of his performances in the car that he is the best candidate.

This run in an old Lotus is far more than just a nice day out. If we next see him testing a hybrid Renault, it will be all the confirmation needed: Kubica is on the comeback trail.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Yes indeed.... that F1 backwards word crops up again.

[kals]

Look, I'm enjoying the fantasy of Palmer being fired. Even if it is with the unlikely outcome of Kubica replacing him. Can't you let me have that?

[Everso Biggyballies]

Look, I'm enjoying the fantasy of Palmer being fired. Even if it is with the unlikely outcome of Kubica replacing him. Can't you let me have that?

Im with you there. I agree to agree.

[MonteCristo]

But I honestly can't see Robert coming back. I mean, what has he raced lately? An E Prix or something?

That.
I reckon this whole thing is just Diversionary PR and more a thank you for past services to detract from their current woeful #2 driver and also car issues like the non arrival of an updated motor this weekend. It is one thing to lap a 5 year old GP car on old rubber in a test session, but to lap for a full race distance in a current High G force spec car and tyres. But then I always thought Robert was a bit overrated so maybe that is influencing my thoughts.

I guess that depends on what you mean by overrated. I saw him as second tier. The 'modern' equivalent of a Hulkenberg or such. That said, I thought the same of Rosberg, and he won a WDC in the end.

But great point about the current crop of cars.

Still, if he can make it - fantastic. And he can come back, be as bad as Palmer, and I'd still say it's fantastic.

[John]

I'd want him to come back to be able to have a few decent years in decent cars and let him finish his F1 career on his own terms.

[PTRACER]

Kubica will never come back. He'll never regain the movement in his arm necessary to take hairpins like at Monaco.

[erwin greven]

[Everso Biggyballies]

I'm with Paul on this one

[erwin greven]

same here!

[kals]

The article on the previous page talks about the purpose behind testing at certain venues, which was to determine Robert's arm movement or lack of. This year's cars are a different kettle of fish though. So we'll see what happens next.

[Picci]

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-r ... er-918842/

In essence the article says that Palmer is not good enough right now.

I think that FiA will give Kubica some sort of dispensation to be able to race - like adding some feature or button in the steering wheel which enables him to turn easier into a tight corner. I'm sure it is possible to install such a thing. The other drivers will complain he's been given an advantage, but then again in other sports (e.g. paralympics) these dispensations are given too. Nannini and Zanardi were offered something similar in the past, weren't they?

I think we'll see Kubica back this year.