Robert Kubica returned to a Formula 1 cockpit for the first time in over six years for a private test with Renault at the Valencia circuit.
Kubica drove a Renault-powered Lotus E20 painted in Renault’s livery for 115 laps as he conducted several evaluations with various fuel loads.
This was the first time Kubica drove a Formula 1 car since the pre-season testing for the 2011 season. Robert was seriously injured to his right hand in a rally accident prior to the start of the 2011 F1 season.
Robert didn’t hide that his return on a F1 cockpit was an emotional moment for him. “It has been a long time away from the paddock and I have been through difficult periods, I kept working hard and a few years ago I felt it was impossible.”
“I have mixed feelings, I am proud with what I achieved today, but also it shows what I have lost. I don’t know what the future will bring, but I know one thing, after working for more than one year to prepare for this, I ran with good pace and consistent in difficult conditions,” he added. “Renault gave me my first F1 test in 2005, so I appreciate another test this time around.”
Renault’s Sporting Director Alan Permane said that listening to Kubica’s feedback was like “turning back the clock”.
“We tried to condense a Grand Prix weekend into one day, which was interesting for him,” he said. “Robert has changed a little, he is more mellow and he wasn’t pushing quite as hard or asking for every detail about the set-up or the car! His comments and feedback, however, were like turning the clock back for all of us.”
Permane also noted that this test was just an one-off for Kubica: “It is a tricky thing to jump into an F1 car after six years and it was a great performance from him. This was a one-off event for Robert. The team was in Valencia testing with Sergey Sirotkin, so it was the perfect opportunity to offer Robert a day in the car and contribute in our way to his recovery.”
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