F1 News

Robert Kubica had to 'wait until Monza' for custom steering wheel

Robert Kubica had to 'wait until Monza' for custom steering wheel

06-10-2019 17:20

Williams driver Robert Kubica had to wait until after the summer break to get the customized steering wheel he asked for. Kubica returned to Formula 1 at the start of the season after a remarkable recovery from a rally crash which left his right hand seriously injured. 

The Pole wanted a steering wheel that had all the buttons on the left-hand side so he could use his good hand. 

"It was supposed to be a steering wheel which [I would] start the year [with]," he told Autosport Magazine. "But it came a bit later than the start of the year.

"Two buttons are, instead of [on the] right, are on the left-hand side," he explained. "And there is an additional paddle on the left-hand side." 

Senior Race Engineer Dave Robson believes that the new wheel will make things a bit easier for Kubica in the final stint of the season. 

"This new wheel makes it more accessible and easier for Robert as well," he said. "It just makes it a little bit easier to access all the functions."

"I think it's more that it's been frustrating for him, rather than the actual lap time loss."

It will be interesting to see if Kubica's performance improves now that he is more comfortable in the car.