Polish News Agency: Your first full season in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) is coming to an end. Is the level much higher than in the European Le Mans Series that you competed in last year?
Robert Kubica: It’s not harder, it’s just different. The stakes were also high in the ELMS, which was seen at Le Mans. There the two cycles met in a single event and the top five featured three ELMS cars. Now everyone is focused on the WEC because there are new categories, new teams, new cars. This current season is like “season zero”, preparing for the next few years. The standard is extremely high.
Five races behind us, one more round in Bahrain. How would you sum up the season?
There have been ups and downs, but we know that is the case in motorsport. In some races we were much worse than expected. Fuji was the worst, it was our toughest time of the year. We missed the beat. We will try to compensate for this in Bahrain. It is a slightly different event from the others. It is very hot there, the tires wear out quickly. I was there last year because I took part in the last two rounds of the WEC so I know what to expect. We can still take second place, we have to try.
In this cycle, several drivers compete in the same car. What does such cooperation look like?
At the very beginning, when I switched to Endurance, I thought about it, because until now I have always focused on myself. In Formula 1 you work on your own account, all conversations with mechanics are conducted with you in mind. Of course, you get points for the constructors’ championship, but mostly for yourself. In Endurance, other drivers work on your score. You have to know how to get along with them and find compromises. Sometimes one of your colleagues doesn’t like a particular setup that works best for you, and if you’re successful, you’re wasting more time overall than you’re gaining. But I got used to it.
In Formula 1, you rarely encourage other drivers…
In Formula 1, you only think of yourself. When I hear someone say they’re happy their teammate took a better place than them, I think they’re lying. Sounds good, is valuable from a marketing standpoint, but I find it hard to believe anyone likes to finish a race behind their teammate. In Endurance, you need to help your colleagues be as fast as possible as they work towards your score. It’s a whole new perspective on racing, but also on yourself as a driver, especially when you’re not in the car. I’m glad I experienced it.
Which approach is the most difficult?
Every type of motorsport is completely different, but it’s the same thing: making the most of what you have at your disposal. However, each series has its own characteristics and difficulties. When you start Formula 1, you don’t follow any other series. You’re totally focused on it, you don’t even have time for anything else. When I went to Le Mans for the first time, it changed my life. It’s even difficult to talk about it, you have to experience it. It’s been a long week, the emotions are huge, there’s a lot going on. The race is very demanding, maybe not for the first hour, but it lasts 24 hours. On the other hand, the World Rally Championship (WRC) is also something special, they are Formula 1 rallies .
How do you reconcile the functions of reserve driver in Formula 1 with departures in other cycles?
I combine my racing program with my role at Alfa Romeo from 2020, after a season at Williams. In some periods I am more, in others – less active. The most difficult year was 2020, because then the whole season was “rushed” because of the pandemic and every weekend I raced in the DTM series or I was in Formula 1. Then I learned something. This year, I am a little less concerned with Formula 1, I have devoted much more attention to my races than in the past, they are a priority for me.
Where will we see you next year?
I already have an idea, but the reality is never as simple as the plans. I have to admit that I fell in love with Le Mans, it’s something special. Without him, Endurance would not have as much appeal, it is the most important event of the season. If you want to win there, you have to compete in the Hypercar category, which is already in the cycle, but next year there will be more teams and producers, so there will be more competition. I would like to participate in this category, but I don’t know if it will be possible. Otherwise, I hope to be able to spend one more season in LMP2, the “backstage” of the strongest Hypercars, and have a good start for 2024. Let’s wait until the end of the season, then decisions will be made.
KN, PAP
Go to Polsatsport.pl
