Formula 1 News

Robert Kubica: “Even without TC, driver still needs a balanced car” 

With less than two weeks remaining to season opening Grand Prix in Melbourne, BMW-Sauber driver Robert Kubica talked about his winter break and which problems drivers could possibly face now that Traction Control has been banned. “I’m pleased to say the winter break was not actually that long thanks to the regular testing we’ve been doing. And in between times I’ve been getting through some intensive fitness training. I’ve got a small studio at home where I can do special exercises aimed at building up the muscles in the neck, arms and torso. I managed to spend some time with my family over Christmas and the New Year, which I really enjoyed, of course. For me the short break was enough to recharge my batteries. I also like being in the car for testing. Plus there was the added incentive – and honor – of being the first person to drive the new BMW Sauber F1.08 on the track.”

“The engineers took a certain amount of risk and have entered new territory in some areas with the F1.08. One of the consequences of this is that we were not quite where we hoped to be at the start of winter testing. But since the roll-out everybody in the team, and that means both the testing crew and the guys back at the plants, has been working at full steam, seven days a week. These efforts have paid off; we have made great steps forward and registered improvements in all areas. And I’m sure we are still far from exhausting the full potential of the F1.08.”

“In testing we noticed that the driver has a big influence over tire wear. And that applies to an even greater extent the higher the temperature of the asphalt. Plus, it is also extremely important to avoid straying from the ideal line as much as possible. In the past, we could rely on the traction control to keep everything in check if we went off line, and even if you had a bit of a slide you would only lose a relatively small amount of time. Without traction control the driver has to take his foot off the accelerator to avoid the risk of spinning. And that means you lose more time, of course. As a whole, though, it is not exclusively a question of driving style. The car also has to make optimal use of the tires.”