Robert Kubica feeling "well integrated" at Renault
Robert Kubica feeling "well integrated" at Renault
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Sunday, 28, Feb 2010 03:09
By Adam Leveridge.
Robert Kubica says he feels "well integrated" with the Renault team and he is confident the Enstone-based outfit has learned enough during winter testing to be ready for Bahrain on March 14th.
The Pole made the switch from BMW Sauber to Renault at the end of last season after the German manufacturer withdrew from the sport in the wake of the economic downturn.
Shortly after signing a contract with the Anglo-French outfit, concerns were raised over Renault's future in the sport when rumours suggested the French manufacturer was considering taking the exit door - a move that would leave Kubica in the lurch without a drive.
However, a buyout by Luxembourg investment firm Genii Capital secured its future and, after a shaky start, Kubica decided to honour his contract with the team and the Pole says he now feels comfortable with Renault after working with the team during pre-season testing in Spain.
"Overall I feel good and well integrated with the team," said Kubica.
"My first test in Valencia was a big learning experience and there were a lot of new things to understand, especially the behaviour of the car and the systems.
"The team worked hard to make the changes I needed in time for the Jerez tests and we then found a good balance with the car and were quite competitive."
He went on: "The final test in Barcelona has been more difficult and we lost some important running time.
"But with the work we did in Jerez I'm quite confident that we have learned enough about the car to be ready for Bahrain."
Kubica said the most important thing is for the team to arrive in Bahrain with a well-balanced car that is capable of performing under different loads.
"You have to find the best set-up compromise between low and high fuel to have the best overall performance from the car," said Kubica.
"It's so difficult to judge where we are because it changes from day to day and we don't know what the other teams are doing or what stage of development they are at.
"Also, every team will have more upgrades before the first race.
"As I said, we were looking very promising in Jerez, but we still need more overall grip."