Kubica denies doping rumors: ''I didn't even know I was that good''

Robert Kubica was able to make his comeback in Formula 1 after a severe accident in 2011. The return was in itself a miracle, but in the end the Pole will never be able to keep his promise after his karting years.

Kubica was feared in karting. The Pole was faster than anyone else and as an outsider just came to watch the Italian karting championship. All the big names in karting drive here and so Kubica expected little of himself and his inferior kart, but nothing turned out to be less true.

Kubica and doping

''In Italy all the major championships were held and then suddenly I won the Italian Championship in 1998 and 1999. I was the first foreigner to do so. My rivals didn't believe it and thought I was doping, but I think I was just very smart for my age, which helped me a lot while racing," says Kubica in a video conversation on Instagram with Mario Isola of Pirelli.

Kubica denies the rumors of doping and even says that he himself hardly believed in his talent. ''Everyone had great karts and outfits and then I arrived with my white helmet and old kart that only had my name on it. I only had my father and one engineer to help me, where others were present with whole teams''.

Suddenly on pole

During the first trainings the goal for Kubica was clear. ''I would just follow the fastest driver and see how he drove his lap. That was easy. I told my dad it was not so bad, but he said 'he held back'. But not much later I was on pole, so I was much faster anyway.''

''It was only then that I realized I was much better than everyone told me. I just wanted to make it to the finals, but finished second. In my whole career I haven't been as good as in karting'', concludes Kubica, who made a big impression in his career at BMW and competed for a long time in 2008 for the world title in an inferior car.