Robert Kubica jumps sinking BMW ship to fill Alonso's seat at Renault
Everything's changing for the Renault F1 team. The team principal has been barred from the sport indefinitely and the technical director has been mercifully banned for five years. They've already booted out their car-crashing, whistle-blowing driver Nelson Piquet Jr. and replaced him with rookie Romain Grosjean. Their star driver, Fernando Alonso, who brought two titles home for the team, is leaving for Ferrari. And they've lost their title sponsor ING. The team has hit just about rock bottom, but now it's time for them to get up and begin rebuilding for next season, counting their lucky stars they've been allowed to participate altogether. And this is their first step.
Following weeks, if not months of speculation, Robert Kubica has been announced to be moving to Renault for next season. The promising Polish driver – who took the checkered flag last year at the Canadian Grand Prix – has been racing for BMW Sauber for the past four seasons since entering Formula One. But now that BMW has pulled the plug, Kubica's headed to the French team.
There's no telling who, at this point, will be driving alongside him next year at Renault, but Grosjean has so far failed to earn his keep. Speculation places his equally talented BMW team-mate Nick Heidfeld alongside him, but nothing's been announced yet. Details in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Renault F1 | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]
PRESS RELEASE:
Robert Kubica joins the Renault F1 Team in 2010
The Renault F1 Team is delighted to announce that Robert Kubica will drive for the team from the 2010 season onwards.
The 24-year-old Polish driver is one of the most highly-rated young drivers in Formula One, who has proved his ability as a race-winning driver and whose aggressive and consistent racing style have seen him as a contender for last year's drivers' title.
Team Principal, Bob Bell, commented: "We are very excited to have signed Robert with the Renault F1 Team starting next season. Ever since Robert made his Grand Prix debut in 2006, he has been on our radar as one of the most naturally talented drivers of his generation and he has delivered on that promise so it's great to have secured him in one of our cars next season. Renault has high ambitions and hopes for the future of the team and we feel that Robert can play a big role in fulfilling them."
Robert Kubica commented: "I am very happy I will be joining Renault in the 2010 season. I feel I have a special connection with this team because in 2005 I won the World Series by Renault. This gave me the chance to test with the team in Barcelona, which led to my debut in Formula One."
Robert continued: "I share with Renault a strong winning mentality and feel comfortable with their friendly and open attitude. I'm highly motivated and optimistic that together we can be at the front of the grid next year and hopefully fighting for the world title."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
lester 2:03PM (10/07/2009)
GO KUBI-SNACKS GO!!!
Reply
dukeisduke 2:10PM (10/07/2009)
(Insert Polish driving joke here)
Reply
POV 2:11PM (10/07/2009)
I was hoping he would go to Williams but I'm glad he's in a relatively competitive car.
Reply
Quan 5:19PM (10/07/2009)
Renault has a far from competitive car. By all accounts it's a very bad car being wrestled into mediocrity only by Alonso's skill. And now having lost some key people the new car will probably be just as bad or worse. Renault is just a step above abject failure of the likes of STR, Force India, and the new teams that are entering next year are sure to be.
Quan 5:23PM (10/07/2009)
Just thought I'd add that I like Kubica and think he is a very talented driver, however, and I hope he does well. I just think the chances of that are low.
oggy_91 2:15PM (10/07/2009)
Can enyone explain to me what will happend to BMW-Sauber next season?
Reply
Mayoman 2:35PM (10/07/2009)
BWM decided to pull out from F1, and didn't sign the concord agreement, there for not giving the Sauber team a spot on the grid for next year. The grid is now full, and any one that buys Sauber will need to get a unanimous support vote from all the teams to join the grid. That won't happen because the guy running the outfit that bought sauber is kind of a sketchy person.
Redline 3:02PM (10/07/2009)
McLaren has been rumored to buy the engine division as well. Not the team though.
Paul 4:05PM (10/07/2009)
The new Campos team is publicly vetoing the idea of a 14th (BMW/Sauber) team. The only way they'll get the entry is if one of the new outfits doesn't show. At this point, USF1 is rumored to be struggling and may not make it.
The new owners, "Qadbak" are a mysterious consortium of wealthy families. Lots of rumors about questionable origins and even money laundering. F1 is not thrilled about this and the other team principles do not want them in the sport.
Matthew 2:14PM (10/07/2009)
Kubica is a very nice, humble person. Probably the best driver to restore Renault's image in F1.
Reply
Slav 2:47PM (10/07/2009)
I wonder if in his personal life Kubica will let go of his Bimmer for a Renault.
Reply
Hootan 2:51PM (10/07/2009)
he'll have to, I think. It seems like that's part of the deal when one drives for a manufacturer team.
Justin 3:02PM (10/07/2009)
I really hope Nick Heidfeld gets a drive at Renault too. He's one of the most forgotten drivers in Formula 1. I don't understand why though, it certainly can't be his age, or his driving skill because the guy is very talented. He just needs the right car.
Reply
MixiM 3:46PM (10/07/2009)
It's because his teammate, yes the polish driver has outshined him during the last seasons... with the same car... Well this season heidfeld does have more points in the driver standsings... but with no real margin, the BMW's suck this season I am sorry to say...
Brad 3:53PM (10/07/2009)
I think this is a good hire for Renault and gives Kubica his best chance at remaining a top level driver.
Reply
Anthony 4:52PM (10/07/2009)
Alonso was the first big domino to fall, Kubica was next. McLaren wants Mika, Mercedes wants a German, we'll see who wins the war of wills there. That's the next domino to fall...
Reply
hashiryu 5:15PM (10/07/2009)
No Flavio, No Symmonds, No sponsors and their car being a dog for the last 2 years = one of the worst career decisions in recent memory.
Reply
Anthony 10:00PM (10/07/2009)
I don't think so. Experience and Cubic Dollars are the rule of the day in F1 and Renault has both without the "figure heads".
They'll replace ING as a key sponsor with somebody else.
Is going from one mediocre car to another one? Perhaps...
Is he going to win an F1 title? I don't think so, no matter WHO he's with. Look who's running at the front of most races, its not him. Even with an imperfect car Hamilton was still competitive when nobody at McLaren thought they would do well at Suzuka.
Toyota will pull the plug on F1, you heard it here first...
hyundaifans.com 6:07PM (10/07/2009)
Good move for Kubica. Hopefully the car will be competitive next season.
Reply