Smedley an optimist in the Kubica case. "I see no reason why he's not mistaken"

– I do not see why he would not succeed – says Rob Smedley about the return of Robert Kubica in F1. The Briton, who will leave Williams at the end of the year, did not initially believe that the Pole would be able to drive an F1 car.

Łukasz Kuczera
November 29, 2018, 6:44 pm

Press material
/ Williams
Pictured: Rob Smedley (left) and Paddy Lowe

At the end of this year, Rob Smedley will leave Williams. The Brit has been the director of performance at Grove for the past five years. He joined the team in early 2014 with Felipe Massa, with whom he had previously worked at Ferrari. This season, however, Smedley has found himself in a difficult situation because the Brazilian has finished his career. Lance Stroll and Sergei Sirotkin are much younger than the Middlesbrough engineer.

– I am a pretty secret person. I do not collect friends on Facebook. I focus more on true friendship. For many years in Williams, I had Felipe Massa and it was something good because there was someone to talk to. I could not speak to Williams drivers this year because, with all due respect, they are still teenagers. We do not have much in common – said Smedley in the most recent "Beyond the Grid".

Robert Kubica's person turned out to be a salute for a Briton. "It's good that Robert has appeared in Williams, someone who has gone through who knows the reality of Formula One." He's even similar to Felipe in some ways. shopping and think about it just after getting up from bed. I had someone to talk to during the factory runs. This saved my season – he added.

Next year, 45, will never see Williams again, but he does not hide that he will keep his fingers crossed for the good performance of the Pole. – deserves a chance. His story is not easy. However, this is not the kind of person who gives up. It aims for the goal and it is something wonderful. The decision to try to return to F1 took a few years ago and here it is. I wish him all the good, "he said.

Smedley is convinced that Kubica will quickly prove that his limitations do not constitute an obstacle to driving. – I do not see why he should not go. People talk about its limits. They claim that he will not be able to drive a car. I am Catholic and I believe that sometimes God makes things difficult to understand – said the British.

The outgoing Williams director admitted frankly that he was initially suspicious of Kubica's return to F1. – I am a racing engineer and until I see what I saw, I could not think that we could drive an F1 with a less efficient hand. However, it turned out that it was different. I also had doubts even last year. Then I saw that it works. I do not even know how, but it works, "said Smedley.

The Brit, however, highlighted the biggest problem Kubica before the 2019 season. – F1 has changed a lot since the last time she was here. Especially the tires. And that's his problem. She'll get used to the rest very quickly, "said Smedley.

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