When Robert Kubica took part in his first Formula One race at the Hungarian Grand Prix two years ago, it was a more crucial test than for most rookies.
“It would have been better to have the points, but it was the beginning of my career in Formula One and it was most important to confirm what I was doing as a test driver - that was my main target,” he said.
“He had to fight day and night to survive to be able to remain in Italy,” said Daniel Morelli, his manager, who signed him at 16. “But what was amazing to me was that from 16 to 21, when he made his first Formula One test, he didn’t change. His mentality, his strength to be able to make sacrifices, hadn’t changed. And we are still in the same situation: Formula One is not a goal for Robert, winning is the goal.”
In 2007, Kubica scored 39 points and finished higher in the series than either Renault driver. Still, it was a season of highs and lows, the worst being at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.
Kubica’s car touched the back wheel of another car and went airborne. He ran into a concrete wall at nearly 227 kilometers per hour, or 142 miles per hour, skidded across the track and stopped against another wall, his car shattered around him.
But Kubica left the hospital the next day in Montreal having had only a minor concussion, and he was ready to race at the U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis the next weekend. Race doctors made him sit out the race.
Confirming his theory about motivation under pressure, Kubica returned to the Canadian Grand Prix this year to take his first victory.
Last year about 30,000 Polish fans attended the race in Hungary, so Kubica is again hoping for a good result this weekend.
“It is kind of my home Grand Prix,” he said. “I am hoping that we will be able to fight for a podium. But I think it will be difficult.”
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