Robert Kubica was pleased with how he coped physically after completing his first test in the 2017 Renault at the Hungaroring on Wednesday.
The appearance in Budapest marked the next step in his bid to return to Formula 1 six years after his near-fatal rally crash which many thought would have ended his racing career.
And his performance was pretty impressive as he set the fourth fastest time on the day and completed 142 laps, which equates to just over two full race distances at the circuit.
“You can predict it wasn’t easy, which I’m not hiding, but it was good,” he said describing how he felt afterwards. “In the end, we have done over 140 laps. I could drive I think tomorrow easily so fitness level is good, which is a good sign. There are sides which need to be improved or need to get better but it’s always like this.
“If someone would tell me three months ago that I would be here and cover 140 laps, I would have signed straight away but once you are here, you want to do better and more. But I have to say we have to be happy and I’m happy.”
It would also be noticeable how well Kubica managed with the demands of a tight and twisty circuit like the Hungaroring, due to the limitations in his right arm.
“Hungary we know it’s a difficult track, it’s one of the most physical tracks,” he said. “Coming here, actually Nico Hulkenberg said the same that once I will be able to drive here, probably I’ll be able to drive everywhere.
“It has been hard work but I think most of the drivers had a hard time today behind the wheel.”
Unsurprisingly, attention has now switched to what the test means for the former Canadian Grand Prix winner’s wide target of an F1 return in 2018. On that, however, Kubica remains calm.
“Nothing is impossible,” he stated. “Of course I have been through different periods and stages of my life in the last six years mainly dedicated to my physical issues and injuries.
“Then, of course, there was a lot going on in my head, which is normal I think, so my approach was very simple, anything can happen.
“If we see where I was 4 months ago compared to where I am now it is a big change and it happened very quickly. I think if in 3 months I did improve a lot and moved forward quite a lot, everything can happen in the future but we have to be realistic, nothing will be easy.”
Indeed, the 32-year-old is still ready to accept that a return may never happen but insisted he would be comfortable with that outcome.
“For sure, my target is to get the kind of role in F1 if I can and if I will have a chance but I don’t know,” he stated.
“One thing is sure, if it doesn’t happen, I will not be disappointed because I am looking at this chance, this situation as very, very realistically. I appreciate Renault and what they did, I think when we met for the first time I don’t think anybody was thinking to let me drive in the Hungaroring official day but it happened.”
