Robert Kubica admits now he has achieved his goal of returning to Formula 1 in 2019, he is keen to avoid it lasting just a single season.
The Pole will start his first race since the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when he takes to the grid in Melbourne in March, having moved up from reserve driver to replace Sergey Sirotkin at Williams.
Expectations are still mixed ahead of his comeback, with uncertainty over whether Kubica still has the talent he showed in his first F1 stint and also whether the British team can give him a car capable of competing strongly.
“Formula 1 has changed a lot and I think this is going to be a great challenge,” he was quoted by Motorsport Week as saying.
“Those eight years away from the sport, do not help [me]. On the other hand, I have plenty of experience and I used to be a top driver, so I feel calm and the simple fact that I have confidence in myself.
“Also I was able to give myself time, the necessary time, to develop myself, to rearrange things and never ever in my life would I be able to say yes if I wouldn’t have the feeling that I can do it.
“And yes I can do it now.”
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Despite the long fight to make it back though, F1 won’t show any sympathy and Kubica knows he will have to perform if he wants to stay in 2020 and beyond.
“[My goal is] not only to enter F1 [again] but to remain there,” he told F1i.com. “This is the most difficult task.
“There were many excellent drivers who left F1 after just one season.”