Kubica “finally back home” with Alfa Romeo

Robert Kubica has said that he is “finally back home” with Alfa Romeo Racing after signing on as a reserve driver for the Formula 1 team he started out with in 2006.

14 years ago Kubica debuted for the Swiss team, known as BMW Sauber then, and successfully achieved 9 podiums and a race win in Canada 2008 before moving to Renault in 2010.
 
The Pole claimed three more podiums that year but suffered a horrific injury before the 2011 season that didn’t see him return to F1 until last year with Williams but is now Alfa Romeo’s reserve driver for 2020.
 
“When I started my Formula 1 career in 2006, I started in Hinwil so I am 14 years older – I am in a bit of a different role but it’s nice to see so many of the same faces, same people who actually made everything happen for me," he said to Formula 1.

“A lot of things have changed because F1 has changed actually, quite a lot, and the team is developing but the DNA of the team is still the same. I’m finally back home and I hope we have a good year.

“Regarding my position, my role at the team is, of course, a bit different, but actually in 2006, I started as a reserve driver, though at that time testing was practically every week so I had a bit more time, or much more time, in the car.

“As a reserve driver I will have a few duties, not racing, but it doesn’t mean I will be on holiday. I will attend probably most of the races or nearly all races as a reserve driver so in case, hopefully not, something happens to Kimi [Raikkonen] or Antonio [Giovinazzi], I will step up.”

While Kubica may not be racing for Alfa Romeo unless required to he will be competing in the DTM with ART Grand Prix BMW, but is realistic that his time in F1 may be up.

"Everything is possible, but I am aware that I may not return to the grid in the future,” he added.

“Formula 1 is Formula 1: five or six years ago no one believed that I would be back, but I never closed the door and I did it.”