Robert Kubica was a feared motorist in his heyday. Although he drove for BMW Sauber, which was not as fast as McLaren or Ferrari, the Pole was a candidate for winning the 2008 World Championship.
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Kubica, currently a test driver for the Alfa Romeo Racing Team, recalled his title challenge in 2008. He pointed out what made him competitive without the fastest car and what he still regrets about this season.
Robert Kubica regrets not having challenged Hamilton further in the 2008 season
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Although Kubica was eliminated at the 2008 season opening Grand Prix of Australia, he recovered strongly in the next 8 races. The Pole took four podiums in these races, including his first race win at the Canadian Grand Prix.
However, his challenge faded in the remaining nine races, taking just three more podiums to finish with 75 points. Lewis Hamilton won his first title that year with 98 points, just one point ahead of Felipe Massa.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 11: Robert Kubica of Poland drives the (88) Alfa Romeo Racing C39 Ferrari during practice prior to the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on December 11, 2020 in Abu Dhabi the route, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Bryn Lennon / Getty Images)
Kubica admitted that he still regrets not being able to continue his title challenge this season. He also mentioned that he was leading the drivers’ championship this year even though he didn’t have the fastest car.
He said: “This is racing, nobody dominated. Ferrari and McLaren were stronger on some tracks than others, but had technical problems and made mistakes. That’s how I led the championship and stayed in battle for so long without the fastest car.
“I still regret it a little, but I’m also lucky to be in this position – because there are a lot of talented drivers who never had this chance.”
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Kubica: Without the fastest car, we were still in the lead
The former Williams driver believed the team’s decision to stop developing the car in the second half of the season hurt his chances. He also believed that 2008 would be his only chance at winning the title.
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The Pole said: “I have exactly the same view as I do [back then]because in the end I was involved and I was in the situation where I sadly felt that this might be our only chance to fight. [for the championship]
“Whatever the reason – the mistakes of others, the better work at the beginning of the season – in the end we still led the championship without the fastest car.”
Although Kubica did not win the title in 2008, he is considered one of the best drivers in F1. With 12 podium places, the 36-year-old wants to help Alfa Romeo Racing make as good progress as possible.
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The post Robert Kubica regrets Lewis Hamilton not jumping to the 2008 Formula 1 title first appeared on monter-une-startup.
