Kubica comfirmed at Renault for 2010

[f1.gpupdate.net]

The Renault team has confirmed that Robert Kubica will make the switch to the Enstone outfit as of next season. The move will mark the first time the Pole has raced in Formula One for any team other than BMW as the German manufacturer pulls out of the sport at the end of the year.

With Fernando Alonso's Ferrari announcement of last week expected to spark off a series of chain reactions, the second piece of the 2010 jigsaw has now been fitted into place as 24-year-old Kubica, who tested for Renault in 2005, signs up full-time.

"I am very happy I will be joining Renault in the 2010 season," he said on Wednesday. "I feel I have a special connection with this team because in 2005 I won the World Series by Renault. This gave me the chance to test with the team in Barcelona, which led to my debut in Formula One.

"I share with Renault a strong winning mentality and feel comfortable with their friendly and open attitude. I'm highly motivated and optimistic that together we can be at the front of the grid next year and hopefully fighting for the world title."

"We are very excited to have signed Robert with the Renault F1 Team starting next season," added Team Principal Bob Bell. "Ever since Robert made his Grand Prix debut in 2006, he has been on our radar as one of the most naturally talented drivers of his generation and he has delivered on that promise so it's great to have secured him in one of our cars next season. Renault has high ambitions and hopes for the future of the team and we feel that Robert can play a big role in fulfilling them."

Good to see Robert's immediate future on the grid sorted out at least. With all the drives at what most likely will be the top teams next season taken, this looks like being the best option that was available to him after BMW pulled out.
What his chances are of actually having a competitive car next season, it's too early to tell IMO. He might have to spend 2010 treading water and looking for a better seat to get himself into.

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So now, his incharge of alonso's left over.

Goodluck Kubica

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I think this could be quite a successful partnership, especially if Renault bite the bullet and hire another competitive driver alongside him, like Glock, Trulli, Heidfeld or Kovalainen. Grosjean has been promising, but too erratic.

But anyway, hopefully Renault produce a good car next year, and Kubica is fighting for podiums and even wins.

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X (@ed24f1)

Lol schuey, you almost mentioned those drivers who are always running number 2 on the team. by the means of the result compare to the their team maters

So this new means Renault would still be on the grid in 2010. Still can't believe that's gonna happen...

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Bring back the racing

SchueyFan Wrote:
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> I think this could be quite a successful
> partnership, especially if Renault bite the bullet
> and hire another competitive driver alongside him,
> like Glock, Trulli, Heidfeld or Kovalainen.
> Grosjean has been promising, but too erratic.

Agreed, Kubica and any one of those drivers (bar Grosjean) could be a more than decent partnership. Even though Kubica/Heidfeld hasn't exactly set the world alight, it might still be an effective partnership in a different team environment.

Kubica - Heikki, or Kubica - Nick again IMO

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"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL

micky-cannonball Wrote:
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> Lol schuey, you almost mentioned those drivers who
> are always running number 2 on the team. by the
> means of the result compare to the their team
> maters

Not really - Glock and Trulli have always been quite equal, Heidfeld has been better than Kubica this year, and been equal or better than most of his career team-mates and Kovalainen outperformed Fisichella in the 2nd half of 2007.

Any of them would still be better than Grosjean though, and prove that Renault is no longer a 1-car effort.


Team CLR Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SchueyFan Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I think this could be quite a successful
> > partnership, especially if Renault bite the
> bullet
> > and hire another competitive driver alongside
> him,
> > like Glock, Trulli, Heidfeld or Kovalainen.
> > Grosjean has been promising, but too erratic.
>
> Agreed, Kubica and any one of those drivers (bar
> Grosjean) could be a more than decent partnership.
> Even though Kubica/Heidfeld hasn't exactly set the
> world alight, it might still be an effective
> partnership in a different team environment.

Based on 2009, where Heidfeld has been much better than Kubica, Heidfeld is able to drag a good result out of a underperforming car better than Robert. After their antics at Suzuka, Kubica might not want him to join the team though

Renault have shown great determination and resolve to fight through the crash-gate scandal, but to prove that they want to return to the front, they really need two competitive cars, and it looks like Grosjean can't offer that.

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X (@ed24f1)

Kubica has been signed as the lead driver, which means no1 driver. So whoever takes the 2nd seat is the no2 driver, I can not see drivers like Nick or Glock liking that.

good for kubica, hope they build a better car for 2010. i hope heikki goes to partner him.

Another possibility to partner Kubica could be Button.

It would be certainly quite far out of left field, but there are a few reasons that make it not quite as unlikely as it sounds, imho. Firstly, considering Button seems to be having a pay dispute with Brawn ([en.f1-live.com]), a big offer from Toyota or Renault could seem quite enticing for him. Button, like other candidates Trulli and Kovalainen, has previous experience driving with Renault as well.

If I was Ross Brawn, I wouldn't be that unhappy to see him go, as I think Rosberg and Glock would do a better job, if he can get them. It is impossible to say whether Button's poor performance is due to championship pressure or just a lack of speed (or both), but it would be quite worrying for Ross Brawn that Button has fallen off so badly in the 2nd half of the year, even in comparison to Rubens, and in the cut-throat world of F1, you are often only as good as your last performance. The fact that Button can't seem to get the best out of the car when their car is 3rd or 4th fastest does not bode well for 2010, when they will probably be behind McLaren and Ferrari (at least), both of which Button can't even beat now generally.

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X (@ed24f1)

If Button goes out of BGP at the end of this year it's the worst mistake he can ever make. The car of BGP has been in top form all year except for a few mishaps and with testing unlimited from November 1st, they could improve it a hell of a lot more and put it on the grid still ahead of the Ferraris and the McLarens

First of all i am very happy that Robert is now at Renault. Second i hope that Timo Glock goes to Renault because then i will hear more about them on German TV so that would be cool.

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"And thats the bottom line cause Alonso0506 said so"

I think Trulli will end up in a Lotus next season. Kovy is a likely option for the Renault number 2 seat, and I, like others, feel that Gosjean hasn't done enough to secure a race seat.

But back OT with the Kubica deal, I'm happy that he's got a drive, but I'm not convicned that Renault will be anywhere near the front of the grid next season. I hope he's got a one-year contract with the option of an extension, because he may wish to bail on them if the car isn't performing.

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Gosjean did not do enough this year in GP2 to even get the drive, he has not been the same since his crash at Monaco. I do not think he will be at Reanult next year.

I think Renault will higher a French driver tbh.

Even though Button should be champ this year I dont think many people still look at him as a real star. He is a good driver that will bring the car home and win when everything is right, but can he get extra out the car well does not look like it. If he was that good Brawn would have already re signed him.

I dont rate Kubica that high, so will be interesting to see how he goes next year. He has had one good year when the car suited him.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2009 06:44PM by marcl.

Seems to be a carreer save to me. He had to do it because he had nowhere else to go. Renault isn't the best of teams atm, but at least it will keep him in F1. As has been said, I doubt that Renault will be fighting for wins next year, but you never know!

I do not think he will be at Reanult next year.

I think Renault will higher a French driver tbh.

Grosjean is a French driver :P

Yes he is but not a good one Maybe he just needs some testing, I am going by what he had shown in GP2 after his crash.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2009 07:00PM by marcl.

Being picky, but he's technically Swiss - sorry