Using F1 Steering Wheel like Holding a Bird: Kubica

Williams reserve driver Robert Kubica has compared his stance of operating an F1 steering wheel to gingerly holding a bird. The Polish driver returned to an F1 cockpit during the Spanish Grand Prix in the first practice session.

He was driving in place of Russian rookie Sergey Sirotkin. The veteran also took part in one of the post-race test days this week. The 33-year old came close to losing his right arm in a 2011 rallying crash. It prematurely ended his F1 career, but he is still hopeful of landing a full-time seat at a team in future.

Kubica’s physical limitations has been widely debated by experts and fans alike. This has raged on ever since he first returned to an F1 cockpit for Renault in Hungary 2017. According to onboard footage in FP1, he had adjusted his manner of holding the steering wheel. He explained that he learned to drive around his injury and make the necessary adjustments.

“I drive like my body and what my limitations allow me,” Kubica said. “After my accident, I discovered to do a roundabout in a road car, you don’t have to grab steering wheel. You can use friction to turn.

“F1 is not a roadcar. But I have also been in the school where they give you a bird in the hand and you have to hold it so it doesn’t fly away but you can’t hold it too tight that it gets scared. This is the way you have to hold the steering wheel.”

The Pole admitted that Williams’ 2018 car was difficult to enjoy. To the delight of Kubica fans, he is set to appear in two more practice sessions this season. To be precise, in Austria and Abu Dhabi. However, he still yearns for the thrill of a full-time F1 drive.

“I miss competition. For me, competition is not FP1 or testing but being on the grid on Sunday. I miss it but when you are away for a long time, you get used to it and you don’t have to think about it.”

When the season began, Williams released onboard footage of Kubica driving during the team’s filming day at Spain’s Aragon circuit. The footage highlighted the difference in grip on either side of the steering wheel.