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Formula One News » Monza can throw up surprises, admits Kubica Posted on 08/09/2010

Buoyed by his unexpected third position in the Belgian Grand Prix ten days ago, Robert Kubica insists that Renault can be a contender for the podium at Monza regardless of whether it uses the new F-duct system that provided such a boost last time out.

The R30 took a clear step forward with the addition of the heavily-researched F-duct but, like originator McLaren, Renault is not sure how much of an advantage there is to be gained from its use in Italy, despite Monza being the fastest circuit of the season with its blend of long straights and quick corners.

Kubica, however, reckons that the resurgent Enstone equipe has enough in the locker, with or without the F-duct, to allow him to continue his close relationship with both the circuit and Italy in general.

“It’s hard to say what our expectations should be, but I think this will be a very interesting weekend to judge the performance of the cars,” the lanky Pole reasoned, “Spa was a good example of how powerful the F-duct can be, and we were immediately more competitive and closer to the front when we fitted it. However, the effect will be less powerful in Monza because the cars run with less drag, although there will be still be an advantage, so we need to see which teams use it and if we are able to as well.

“This circuit can sometimes throw up some surprises, so I prefer to stay cautious when it comes to predictions, but, if the car feels as good as it did in Spa, then there’s no reason why we won’t be competitive at Monza.

“Even though Poland is my home country, in karting, Formula Renault and F3, I
always raced for Italian teams and spent over a year living close to Monza, so this whole area holds good memories for me. Looking at my F1 career, this was also the track where I scored my first podium finish in 2006, so it’s certainly a very special circuit and weekend for me.”

Kubica admitted that, in previous years, testing ahead of the Monza ‘one-off’ would have given the teams enough data to know whether to run the F-duct and others technological advances, but insisted that he was looking forward to tackling the daunting parkland layout even without the advantage of an early taster.

“You have a lot of high-speed sections, like Ascari and Parabolica, plus the low-speed chicanes, so it’s difficult to balance these sectors so the car performs well in all of them,” he explained, “It’s the quickest circuit on the calendar, which means we use a very low-downforce, low-drag configuration.

“In previous years, we tested at Monza the week before the race so we could get used to the feeling of the car, which is much lighter than normal. Now, we don’t have that test, so it becomes a bit of a tricky weekend.

“Having said that, it is an enjoyable circuit to drive because the feeling is so unusual – it’s like being at the wheel of a completely different car.

“At the start of the weekend, you think that the rear end is very unstable but, in fact, that’s how it stays all the time, and you never quite find the grip and stability you’re used to at other circuits. That makes it a bigger challenge for the drivers.”

http://www.f1.co.uk/renault/

http://www.f1.co.uk/robert-kubica/

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