Robert Kubica believes he will start the 2019 Formula 1 season more as a “rookie” than as a veteran with five years of experience on the grid.
The Polish driver will compete in his first race since the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when he takes the start in Australia with Williams in March, as he completes what is a remarkable comeback following the rally crash which ended his original stint in F1.
However, while most are keen to see if Kubica still has the immense talent which many thought would eventually see him become world champion, the 34-year-old himself admits he’ll need some time to adapt.
“In Australia, I am more like a rookie driver than one who has already done five seasons,” he told Motorsport.com.
“The reason is that F1 has changed so much. F1 has always been changing and if you compare the cars from the start of the 2000s to the end, they are completely different.
“I have to work hard and I’m looking forward to the challenge but also I’m looking forward to finding the natural way of driving that I had in the past – when you are in the car often, racing every 10 days or so.
“Everything should come as naturally as possible, you don’t have to look for it and it’s all natural.”
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Kubica also insists he is coming back with the aim of not just racing but competing well against the array of talent that makes up the midfield in 2019.
And on that note, he does think his previous spells with BMW and Renault should be beneficial.
“What is helping me is that I lived this sport on such a high level, so I experienced what it means to be an F1 driver and what it means to race against the top drivers,” the 2007 Canadian GP winner explained.
“I hope that this experience will help me to achieve the levels which I would like to and this is the goal.
“My feet are on the ground and I know what is coming next is a big challenge from a sports point of view. Being in F1 among 20 F1 drivers is a big honour but also a tough job, so there is a big challenge in front of me.
“All I care about is my job and what I am doing, there will always be someone judging you and in different ways.”
