Kubica Confident Ahead Of Montreal GP |
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Topics: Robert Kubica, Canadian Grand Prix
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Anthony Fontanelle
June 5, 2007
Robert Kubica claimed that the Montreal Grand Prix will give him an opportunity to evaluate how his driving style has adapted. "I am really looking forward to Montreal as it is one of my favorite tracks in the Formula 1 calendar. It means driving with lower downforce for the first time this season,” he said.
“Last year on the Friday I was quite good there. I am looking to repeat that performance and I think our car can perform very well there because of the downforce configuration. It will be interesting to see how I can cope with the Bridgestone tyres compared to the Michelins of last year, and how I have to change my driving style,” Kubica noted.
He added, “I will see how big an influence it was for me to change to the different tyres. Montreal was the track where my driving style of last year gave me an advantage. As I am not driving the same as in 2006 we have to see how it will be this year."
The Polish Formula One racer topped the time-sheets in practice for last season's Montreal GP as his spirited driving style suited the nature of the circuit. The 22-year-old racer has been forced to change the way he drives since F1 moved to a single tyre provider. Even so, Kubica is confident that the BMW will be well-suited to the low downforce configuration required at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit.
"The combination of long straights and chicanes makes Montreal what we call a 'medium downforce' circuit, and we have developed a special aero package that takes this into account. The long straight leading up to the final chicane offers the drivers the best overtaking opportunity if top speed allows, said Willy Rampf, the BMW Sauber’s technical director.
Rampf added, "Montreal is harder on the brakes than any other circuit on the F1 calendar, so maximum brake cooling and high-performance specifications for discs and pads are the order of the day. This is a circuit that punishes even the slightest error, as the crash barriers are largely extremely close to the track and there are not many run-off areas. We were very competitive in Canada last year, and I am extremely confident that we will be able to come away with good results again this year."
Kubica admitted that he is intrigued to know how the changes he made to his driving style over the winter will affect his performance on the track, a circuit he feels he had an advantage on last year. Kubica was BMW Sauber’s third driver at the Canadian Grand Prix last season. He hopes he is able to match the record with his revised style this year. With BMW head gasket, engines, new set of tyres, and aggressive driving, Kubica is expected to make a good record this year.
BMW Sauber’s motorsport boss Mario Theissen said that it is vital that the team improves on that record in this year’s North American double-header if it is to consolidate third place in the constructors’ championship. "Last year, we crossed the Atlantic in fifth place in the standings,” Theissen said. “In 2007 we will be arriving in Canada as the third best team. In 2006 we were only able to take two points away from the pair of races in North America. This is something we are naturally looking to improve on, and we are aiming to collect as many points as possible on the back of our good result in Monaco in order to further strengthen our position in the championship.”
Source: Amazines.com