planetf1.com

I had only known Alan [Stacey] for a year, for I met him at Le Mans in 1959. He was a terrific personality and very good company. He thought a lot ab out the techniques of racing and could explain things. He had tremendous guts, for very fewp eople knew that Alan only had one leg. His right leg had been amputated below the knee in a childhood motorbike accident, and he had an artificial leg. He always used to have a machine with a motorcycle twist grip throttle on the gear lever because he couldn't heal and toe. He had developed a technique of blipping the throttle with his twist grip and changing gear while using his feet on the clutch and brake.

Despite his disability, Alan was determined that nothing and nobody should stop him racing. Not only did he develop his own racing technique, but also one for hoodwinking the doctors at the compulsory check-ups which were insisted on before races by some organisers. We all liked him and were prepared to assist in this ploy. When it came round to the knee reflex test, he would cross his left leg over his artificial one. The doctor would tap it and find it satisfactory. At this point one of us - usually Innes Ireland - would ask some pointless question to distract the doctor's attention. Alan would then perform a clever little shuffle which still left his good leg uppermost. This was always good for a chuckle among us as we filed out of the examination room.

And I'm sure you thought he was going to come back in 2011, and then 2012. Given the extent of his injuries, it was always unlikely that Kubica was going to return to Formula One. Now that we know just where his rehabilitation is and his mobility (or lack thereof), it seems even less likely.

I thought of Kubica a few days ago whilst reading a passage in a book I'm currently enjoying:

I love him and I believe that he will do it.
RKS

I don't know. Something never grabbed me about Kubica and I really don't think he has ever really been missed from F1.

In the Feb issue of F1 Racing magazine he says he's prepping for a comeback. But right now his hand doesn't have enough movement for an F1 car.

2014? Probably not. Maybe 2015 though.

I don't know. Something never grabbed me about Kubica and I really don't think he has ever really been missed from F1.

I have always been mad at BMW for taking what I think could have been a win for Heidfeld at Canada and letting Kubica win

agree... I think it was always "the legend of Kubica" He was the biggest complainer in the pit lane. I have always been mad at BMW for taking what I think could have been a win for Heidfeld at Canada and letting Kubica win

I don't know. Something never grabbed me about Kubica and I really don't think he has ever really been missed from F1.

Kubica was one of the most low-key drivers on the grid, you should really be mad at BMW for stopping development on the F108 while Kubica was fighting for the WDC. BTW Heidfield never stood a chance vs Kubica in Canada 08.

A very biased opinion against RK.

He was quicker all weekend, qualifying second whilst Heidfeld was only 8th and a second slower. Heidfeld benefitted largely from the safety car, the same way an otherwise useless DC ended up in 3rd. Kubica was in a lighter car and had to pit, whilst Heidfeld did not. If Kubica had spent the rest of the race stuck behind Heidfeld, then pitted, he'd have ended up out of the points. It would have been ridiculous for a team principle to allow that on Sauber's biggest pay day of the season.

agree... I think it was always "the legend of Kubica" He was the biggest complainer in the pit lane. I have always been mad at BMW for taking what I think could have been a win for Heidfeld at Canada and letting Kubica win

Kubica was one of the most low-key drivers on the grid, you should really be mad at BMW for stopping development on the F108 while Kubica fighting for the WDC.

edit: BTW Heidfield never stood a chance vs Kubica in Canada 08.

That was a very frustrating decision. The way 2008 ended up playing out with Hamilton and Massa, had BMW kept up development of the F108 Kubica may well have pipped them to the WDC with his consistency, a bit like Raikkonen managed to get himself into third last year. Although it is something that can only be said in hindsight, it really does highlight that in F1 you need to take the opportunities when they arise rather than focus all your efforts on the future.

This. Just like if Kimi had won the WDC in 2012 I wouldn't begrudge him that, I wouldn't have minded if Kubica won in 2008. To be in contention until the second-last race of the season in the 3rd best car says a lot about his abilities. In 2009 I kinda lost a bit of respect for him but what he did in that Renault in 2010, especially against Petrov who's proven to be no slouch against Heidfeld, Senna and Kovi, deserved more than the few podiums he got.

I genuinely miss Robert and I hope he finds success in whatever he attempts later. That he's with us at all is a minor miracle.

This. Just like if Kimi had won the WDC in 2012 I wouldn't begrudge him that, I wouldn't have minded if Kubica won in 2008. To be in contention until the second-last race of the season in the 3rd best car says a lot about his abilities. In 2009 I kinda lost a bit of respect for him but what he did in that Renault in 2010, especially against Petrov who's proven to be no slouch against Heidfeld, Senna and Kovi, deserved more than the few podiums he got.

I genuinely miss Robert and I hope he finds success in whatever he attempts later. That he's with us at all is a minor miracle.

Just out of curiosity, why did you ?

He moaned endlessly and went from beating Heidfeld fairly soundly to being behind when both finished fairly regularly. At that point I did believe Kubica was nothing special and 2008 was a fluke, but the things he did with that Renault in 2010 made me change my opinion greatly.