Kubica as team boss? 'There were some talks to take that route'

Exclusive

Robert Kubica could've been a team boss
10 May 2023 at 17:00
  • GPblog.com

After leaving as a test and reserve driver at Alfa Romeo, Robert Kubica is trying to achieve success in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). That could have been different, as there were talks about making a career switch at some point. The Polish driver revealed this in an exclusive interview with GPblog.

After his rallying accident in 2011 - in which he suffered severe injuries to his hands and legs - Kubica returned to Formula 1 but didn't experience the same level of success. However, the knowledge he gained in formula racing was never lost. Possibly that is why there was once interest from one or more racing teams to tie Kubica down in a role other than the driver.

'Certain qualities necessary'

GPblog asks whether Kubica has ever considered becoming a team boss, and he says: "I'm not saying there has been a chance, but there were some talks and some possibilities of taking this route. You cannot step in and do the principal role without experience. As always, you have to go through different challenges and different approaches. But to be honest, I think in order to be in this position, you need to have certain characteristics which I don't have".

No team boss is born a team boss. They have all gone through a learning process. Kubica could have chosen that too. The Pole thinks differently: "Some things are more character related or how you see motorsport. I think if you told me 5 years ago, probably, yes, I could do it. Currently, I know I would struggle. I will struggle because it's not an easy job, and I don't see myself taking those shoes."

Success in WEC

Kubica did not say which team or in which class there might be opportunities for a position on the pit wall. The single Grand Prix winner is now 38 years old and competitive (again) as a driver in an appealing class. The Pole recently won the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in the LMP2 class for Team WRT. With second place in the championship standings, he has every prospect of winning the championship in the WEC for LMP2 cars after three endurance races.