Hot Rod or Hot Dog? Top Dog!
- Published on Oct 1st, 2010 by Benson Jammichello
The view from above... © 2010 LAT Photographic
Kubica.
Probably the best driver on the grid not in one of the 'big four' teams. He's been delivering consistently for Renault all season, a fact made all the more impressive with the knowledge that he's effectively in a one man team. Sorry Vitaly, we believed in you earlier in the season, but we simply don't now.
His charge during the last few laps really was the highlight of the race. Even though Alonso led from the front and never looked like making a mistake, the sheer ruthlessness with which Kubica surged past the hapless Toro Rossos, Petrov, Massa, Hulkenberg and Sutil put him in a league of his own in Singapore. He even described it as "good fun" - so we'd imagine Robert, so we'd imagine.
All of this makes Ferrari's decision to sign Felipe Massa up for another couple of years even more bewildering than it looked originally. I mean, we know Alonso doesn't like competition but even so, why aren't Ferrari chomping at the bit to get Kubica on board as quickly as possible? He's quicker than Massa, seems to be able to overtake and looks reassuringly normal. All good points.
Even though it would probably be a lot like sitting on a boiling pot pairing him with Alonso, having two drivers competing at the sharp end of races and capable of winning world championships would, or so we at Badger think anyway, give the team even more to fight for during the season. Yes, it can be tricky to manage two highly competitive drivers, but other teams seem to just about manage it ok (and yes, we're well aware of high profile examples where it's all gone wrong...)
All we're saying is that Kubica definitely deserves a shot at the title in a proven-title winning team and it'd be a travesty if he didn't get it. Come on Ferrari, sort it out.
FURTHER READING: Read the rest of Hot Rod or Hot Dog for Singapore
oh and i’d love to see a mark webber movie he is the most...
Comments and Discussion
Probably the best driver on the grid not in one of the ‘big four’ teams.
Probably? I'd say easily.
I think he should be in a top 4 team without doubt. He was brilliant at Singapore and made for an exciting finish. I never used to like Kubica but have found some respect for him this year. One of the best drivers in F1 right now.
Robert is the best !!!
"Robert is the best !!!" - Nick H? That wouldn't be H for Heidfeld would it?
rooooooobert the bessssst !!
Not sure Alonso could cope with having Robert in 'his' team. He has Massa in a basket and under control and we know what happens with him when he gets a faster team-mate...
I think he's do well at Red Bull. They both have the same attitude, but now Webber and Vettel are there he's stuck in the middle. The upside could be that he can get the whole team shaped around him.
Nick H, Nick Ha-Ha-Ha more like!!!
Am a fan of both Alonso and Kubica, and say they'd make a great pair at Ferrari. They're good friends, and both no-nonsense people, so I imagine they'd gel well. Ferrari's in a bind methinks: how can they tell Massa off with still races to go and they'd need Massa's help for better standings (both for WDC and constructors)? Still, i'm keeping my fingers crossed for this real dream team.
Yes, i can relate to that. I didn't rate Kubica very highly pre-2010, because he rarely made forward progress on racedays, more often than not he'd go backwards.
He's really changed all that this year and i have a newfound respect for what he's managing to achieve.
Though i'm a bit confused about the 'non-top 4' comments. The Renault's as fast as the Mercedes, and in most cases faster. As far as i'm concerned he's already in a top 4 team.
It would be silly to move elsewhere, he's number 1 in the 4th best car; a better place to be than number 2 in any of the others, especially when you look at Renault's successful development this year. If he goes to Ferrari he'll be wasted at the peak of his powers, much like Barrichello was. His best bet would be to go to Red Bull when Webber retires at the end of 2011 (probably).
But yes, back to the point of the article; Agreed! Alonso drove faultlessly, but didn't really do anything special to catch the eye. Robert's puncture made the race really. Bad luck for him, yes, but he's the one who made the race memorable.
Hi Dave, thanks for your comment. Glad to see you out and about on Badger again!
I meant "non-top 4" not only in terms of this season, but also in terms of the expected budget/resources likely to be thrown at the cars in future seasons.
I certainly take your point about the pace of the Renault though.
ROBBBBERT KUBICA !
I think it could be something else.
Kubica had a chance to go with Ferrari last year. It would be few races thought.
In my oppinion he made a right decision and refused.
Maybe that made Ferrari bosses a bit angry?
Now Renault is developing very fast. It`s very possible that Robert has done much in this case.
I believe he`s able to compete with best teams in nearest future in Renault.
Hope it will be next year
I'm not your babe, I'm not your babe, Fernando
Don't call my name, don't call my name, Roberto