YOU ASK THE QUESTIONS: Robert Kubica WORDS RICHARD RODGERS PORTRAITS THOMAS BUTLER The former FI hero and reigning WRC2 champ speaks frankly about the challenges he's faced after his near-fatal crash and explains why an FI return is unlikely... although he'll never say never Had Robert Kubiea’s career gone to plan, early February 2014 would have been spent looking back on the Jerez test, discussing what changes were needed for Bahrain and recruiting players for a spot of paddock poker (more on that later on...) Instead, the 29-year-old is preparing for Fl Racing's reader questions in the comfort of the Karlstad Congress Culture Centre in Sweden, where he will shortly be contesting the country's World Rally Championship qualifier for the first time* But the fact that this interview is taking place at all owes everything to the wonders of modern healthcare, not to mention Kubica’s determination never to give up. Almost three years to the day of this interview, Kubica was fighting for his life in an Italian hospital* A section of Armco barrier had penetrated the Skoda Fabia Super 2000 he was driving purely for fun on a local-level rally, ahead of the 2011 Fl season. As Kubica puts it, “it destroyed my right side“. While his physical limitations - he has restricted movement in his weakened right arm, which was partially severed in the crash - will probably rule out a return to Formula x, he insists that chapter of his life is still not closed. But instead of forever reflecting on what might have been - let's not forget he challenged for the 2008 Fl world title - consider that Kubica is now one of the hottest properties in the WRC. He won the second-tier WRC2 crown in 2013 and began his full 13-event campaign in 2014 by winning the opening two stages of the famous Monte Carlo Rally, proof, if any were needed, of the tremendous natural talent that made Ferrari his chief suitor when he was in his Fl prime. hospital* A section of Armco barrier had penetrated the Skoda Fabia Super 2000 he was driving purely for fun on a local-level rally, ahead of the 2011 Fl season. As Kubica puts it, “it destroyed my right side*. While his physical limitations - he has restricted movement in his weakened right arm, which was partially severed in the crash - will probably rule out a return to Formula x, he insists that chapter of his life is still not closed. But instead of forever reflecting on what might have been - let's not forget he challenged for the 2008 Fl world title - consider that Kubica is now one of the hottest properties in the WRC. He won the second-tier WRC2 crown in 2013 and began his full 13-event campaign in 2014 by winning the opening two stages of the famous Monte Carlo Rally, proof, if any were needed, of the tremendous natural talent that made Ferrari his chief suitor when he was in his Fl prime. Do you miss Formula 1? If so, what do you miss the most? Agne Lazauskaite, UK Of course, and the thing I miss the most is driving an Fl car - the special feeling on your body with the G-forces, the acceleration and the deceleration, But it’s not just driving the car. Working with the engineers to improve the setup and get the most out of the package: that’s something I also miss* What gives you more pleasure, driving a rally car or a Formula 1 car? Mertol Shahin, Bulgaria A Formula 1 car. Both are giving a lot of pleasure, but I feel I am definitely a better Fl driver than a rally driver because I have much more experience. A rally car can give you a lot of pleasure when you have really nice stages, but when you approach them for the first time they can be really difficult. Would you consider a test role in Fl - maybe on Fridays? Chris Micallef, Malta I have mixed feelings, to be honest. I have ambitions and I like challenges, but I know that every Friday evening would be bad because I’d know that I could not carry on for the rest of the weekend. Rallying keeps my mind completely off what I was doing. That’s the best medicine for me. Fridays would he a good taste, but it would have bad side effects. просто прогнала текст, сама еще не успела даже нормально прочитать