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Renault going "step-by-step" with Kubica
Renault Sport boss Cyril Abiteboul continues to play down the significance of Robert Kubica's ongoing test programme, but admits that if it is successful, the Pole could race again in F1.
Adam Cooper Oleg Karpov
Edited: Jul 13, 2017, 10:42 AM
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Kubica had another run in 2012 E20 at Paul Ricard this week, with the specific purpose of allowing the driver another opportunity to test his limits after his initial run in Valencia.
"We want to be clear about the fact that he is testing with a purpose which is to go further in his assessment of what he can and can't do," Abiteboul told Motorsport.com before the test.
"We want to test a number of things. We put together a programme – I don't want to detail that programme – but I want to make it clear that it's not necessarily that if the test is positive, that he will be driving for Renault next year. Things are bit more complex than that.
"As always, we're really going step-by-step, with lots of care, trying as much as possible to leave the emotion on one side, to have also some physiotherapy that is involved, some medical checks that are involved, just to make sure that everything is OK.
"And who knows, if the test is positive, and the next steps are positive, maybe he could end up in an F1 car.
"But I don't want to speculate at this time, because we shouldn't have media speculate putting pressure on us on what we need to do next."
Kubica himself talked up his chances of racing in F1 again when he appeared at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
"That's typically where we need to be careful," said Abiteboul.
"He's a guy who has character and emotion, but in that particular circumstance we need to put the emotion on one side – we would all love to see it happening – and take a very pragmatic approach about the situation. That's our responsibility."
Asked if Kubica might do the post-Hungarian GP test in the current car Abiteboul said: "No speculation about further tests at this time."
Sirotkin: Pace comparison reports "partially true"
Renault development driver Sergey Sirotkin was also present at the initial Valencia test and likewise piloted the E20.
Asked whether Kubica's ongoing comeback was a concern for his own chances of becoming a Renault F1 race driver in 2018, Sirotkin told Motorsport.com: "I look at the situation from two sides. In terms of competition, I don't think there's reason to single somebody out – be it Robert or another candidate. So that's simple enough.
"At the same time, I am happy for him specifically from a personal standpoint. I know how difficult of a situation he's been through.
"That he can drive a Formula 1 car now is a huge achievement. He deserves credit. He's a real hero, given what he's been through.
"He got back behind the wheel and, to be honest, he managed to look very much competitive."
It was reported widely in the aftermath of the test that Kubica had set the better ultimate laptime of the two and, when queried about it, Sirotkin said there was truth to those reports.
"I saw what was reported in the press – both in our country [Russia] and around the world. What I can say is that, if we're talking pure laptime, what was written was partially true," Sirotkin told Motorsport.com.
"On the other hand, let's say, firstly we worked on different programmes, at different times at the track. Again, in no way diminishing his huge achievement, the conditions on track were not in my favour.
"Then again, we didn't have a goal to compare anything and were both doing our own separate jobs."
Sirotkin also said he was encouraged by how he stacked up against Kubica on the telemetry, as he stated his belief that the Pole still remains among the strongest F1 drivers out there.
"I am certain [he] has maintained his very strong level, that he is one of the fastest and most well-renowned drivers in Formula 1.
"That's how it was in the past but I am certain that also now he is still, let's say, capable of producing those moments that he produced during his career [in F1]."
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