Robert Kubica - Real Hunter In The Game
Jul 16, 2008
BMW Motorsport
The second half of what could be the most open season in years is upon us. Of course, that “most open season” line is so overused and, quite honestly, getting a little tired but there’s little else to describe a season with four abreast coming through the championship corner, each with a real fighting chance for the title.
Of course, the man of the hour has to be Lewis but the real hunter in this game is Robert Kubica. He’s a scant two points behind the three stooges – sorry – heroes and, given that he had a non-points finish just like Massa during the last grand prix, either of the two “non-finishers” would’ve ended up leading the championship at this point.
A good friend and a bonafide F1 guru talked about Kubica the other day and said that the mark of a good driver is one who puts a car in a place it isn’t supposed to be. Best way to see that is the battle between teammates. While the Alonso and Piquet pairing is the textbook example of what a former world champion can do to an already bruised ego of a rookie, the more sublime battle is the one between Kubica – season achievements and all – and Nick Heidfeld, podium finisher.
While they started out as relatively cheaper investments for BMW early on in the season, it is Kubica who is stealing the show – garnering BMW’s first victory in Canada as well as leading the championship at one point this year.
Kubica’s two-point deficit from the championship lead is something that he will have to nurture all throughout if he even wants to get a serious whiff of a championship this year. He’s paying his dues perfectly, being in a upper middle or lower top team in BMW. Remember that Alonso had to fight his way in a Minardi early on in his career.
