Robert Kubica was on course for a lot more in Formula 1, according to Ted Kravitz.
Kubica made his first F1 appearance in 2006 with BMW Sauber, stepping in for Jacques Villeneuve after the Canadian’s heavy crash. He finished sixth in his first full season and then climbed up to fourth a year later.
Kubica scored seven podiums over 18 races in the 2008 season, including his only career win at the Canadian Grand Prix. But after regulation changes hit BMW Sauber hard in 2009, he decided to move to Renault.
Robert Kubica was reportedly close to signing with Ferrari, says Ted Kravitz
Kubica’s career took a dramatic turn just before the 2011 season. In his book F1 Insider, Kravitz explains that Kubica received an insurance payout for lost future earnings after the rally accident that caused severe injuries to his right hand, arm, and leg.
He managed a remarkable return to racing in 2013, first in WRC and GT categories before landing back on the F1 grid with Williams in 2019. But his form had clearly dipped by then, as he struggled to keep up with rookie teammate George Russell.
Kravitz, who has spent three decades covering Formula One since stepping into the paddock in 1996, didn’t hold back in calling Kubica “the greatest lost talent” the sport has seen.
There were strong rumours that he was set for a 2012 move to Ferrari alongside Fernando Alonso, a move that never materialised but remains a big “what if” for many fans.
“In many ways, Kubica is F1’s greatest lost talent,” Kravitz wrote. “He was quite simply incredibly quick.
“Ferrari appreciated how good he was and, encouraged by Fernando Alonso, offered Kubica a provisional race contract to give the Maranello squad the first call on his services for the 2012 season as a potential replacement for Felipe Massa.
“All he had to do was to see out one more year in a midfield Renault and he’d likely move to Ferrari.”
Robert Kubica believed he could challenge Fernando Alonso at Ferrari
Hamilton, speaking in 2019, described Kubica as “one of the most talented drivers” he’s come up against.
Back when Komatsu was an engineer at Renault, he saw enough potential in Kubica to think he had what it took to become a world champion.
Before his move to Ferrari fell through, Kubica believed he could take on Alonso, even though the Spaniard was already building a case as one of the sport’s best.
Alonso missed out on the 2012 title by just four points to Sebastian Vettel. If things had played out differently, that might have been Kubica’s chance to make his mark.
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