I don't know, with the times he set during winter testing I think he can get in the seat and get points right away.
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/139756/kubica-in-frame-for-ferrari-development-role Robert Kubica could take up a development role at the Ferrari Formula 1 team next season. The one-time grand prix winner has not given up returning to the F1 grid with Williams in 2019, having missed out on a sensational comeback this year. Kubica sustained career-changing injuries in a rally accident in early 2011 and has not raced in F1 since, but his incredible recovery led to testing for Renault and Williams last year and he secured some financial backing to help land a '18 Williams drive. While he missed out on that and had to settle for a reserve driver role with Williams instead, that has facilitated his first grand prix weekend action since Abu Dhabi in 2010 and he is on the team's shortlist to partner George Russell next year. But Williams needs to commercialise its second seat and while Kubica is believed to have access to more funding than before it is not enough to plug a gap. Sources have indicated Williams could need as much £15-20million. Kubica has made it clear he is not prepared to wait too long to learn his fate, after Williams only confirmed Sergey Sirotkin for 2018 in January. He is understood to have had discussions over a simulator position with Ferrari, which needs to replace Antonio Giovinazzi and Daniil Kvyat because its 2018 development drivers have secured '19 F1 drives with Sauber and Toro Rosso respectively. Kubica would not be a reserve driver at Ferrari because Giovinazzi would be called up from Sauber should either Sebastian Vettel or Charles Leclerc be unavailable.
Hmm, a bit of ambivalent news. While it is great that Kubica might end up at Ferrari I really was looking forward to see him race in a Williams.
That arrangement looks nonsensical to me. How can a driver in one team be at the same time the reserve driver in another team ?
What I'm reading is that Robert has politely said no to Ferrari's offer as a reserve driver, and that a deal with Williams as a full time driver is just waiting for signatures. If it happens, for Robert it will be a chance to actually show what he can do. For Williams, it will push them to the tops of every sports page from now until at least the first race in 2019. It will be the comeback story of the decade for both driver and team, and it will buy Williams and their sponsors amazing attention...and probably generate more money than almost any other driver they could hire considering how bad their car has been. Ocon may figure in this as well as the Mercedes reserve driver who could instantly step in and take over if either of the Williams regular drivers do not pan out. Great drivers can perform miracles with lesser cars. If given the chance, I think Robert will drive the wheels off the car to give the team and himself that miracle. A small miracle would be a top ten finish. An epic miracle would be a podium. I'll have my fingers crossed.
I do not share your optimism regarding Kubica who is now 35, partly disabled and has been out of F1 since 2010. Not exactly the right criteria to relaunch a team that badly needs it. What Williams would benefit from giving him a seat, I cannot imagine. But knowing how dysfunctional that team is now, I will not be surprised if it happens.
All of Stroll's money couldn't buy Williams the coverage and attention that a seat for Kubica will give them. And that attention can generate additional money from names that will want to be part of that story. I'm not suggesting success is a sure thing for Kubica...but I wouldn't make age or the time away from actually racing in F1 into as big a mountain as some seem to think. Remember Fangio didn't even start his F1 career until age 39. As for Robert's arm...he has spent a lot of time on developing strength in it, and also working around its weakness. If Ocon is their reserve, they can pull the plug on Kubica anytime they want and have a very good driver (better than either of their current drivers) ready to go. Williams can't wait for a winning car to turn things around, they need a driver/story that will ignite public interest in and attention to their team.
Well said Robert! Vettel might want to think before he speaks as well as think before he makes a move on the track. The same applies to Vettel given his lack of title the last 2 years due to his inability to think or strategize effectively lol https://www.planetf1.com/news/kubica-reminds-vettel-of-their-similar-age/ - Robert Kubica has reminded Sebastian Vettel of their similar age after the German’s suggestion that he was stealing places on the grid from young drivers. Kubica will return to Formula 1 for 2019, signalling a miracle comeback after his rally horror-crash in 2011.
Robert has what he wanted and worked for. It will be wonderful if he succeeds in reclaiming much of the career he lost. If he and Williams can be fighting for fourth in the championship and dicing with number three, it will be a welcome change from the Mercedes Ferrari soap opera.
