Robert Kubica now has taken a major step toward a Formula One comeback, and it’s safe to say everybody in the sport is pulling for him to complete that journey.
Kubica received a warm welcome from everybody in attendance at the Hungaroring on Wednesday, as the Polish driver participated in his first official F1 test since his horrific crash. Taking part in Day 2 of the post-Hungarian Grand Prix test, Kubica is behind the wheel of Renault Sport F1 Team’s R.S.17, giving him his first taste of a 2017-spec car.
Although Kubica last competed in F1 in 2010 with Renault, he has completed two tests in older-spec cars with the French manufacturer throughout 2017. With Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul admitting Kubica is an option for 2018 — likely as a replacement for Jolyon Palmer — the test in Hungary is very important for the 32-year-old, so all eyes unsurprisingly were on him at the start of the day.
A sight that every F1 fan will want to see
Robert Kubica leaves the pit lane in a @RenaultSportF1 car on Day Two of #F1Testing in Hungary pic.twitter.com/H4VDPkJiaD
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 2, 2017
How cool is that, our friends at @HaasF1Team took this for us, just so that we can bring you more #Kubica videos. Thank you 🙌#BudaTest pic.twitter.com/gt5m76Vqk6
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) August 2, 2017
First run of the afternoon for Robert and our R.S.17. Its nicely hot here now. Slowly baking 😱🌡 #Kubica #BudaTest pic.twitter.com/C9h05Z79lP
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) August 2, 2017
Neeeeeeeeeeeeeoooooooon! #Kubica #BudaTest pic.twitter.com/HM0aghs1tr
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) August 2, 2017
👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼 @R_Kubica, nice to see you back! @RenaultSportF1 👏🏼👏🏼 #BudaTest pic.twitter.com/vdXGpo2JOJ
— Visa Cash App RB F1 Team (@visacashapprb) August 2, 2017
Let's be honest…
The entire pit lane is pretty pumped about this moment…#WelcomeBackRobert 👏 #BudaTest #F1Testing #F1 https://t.co/7r8c5Jv6fG— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) August 2, 2017
After completing four seasons in F1, Kubica’s career halted in 2011 after a rally accident left him with a partially severed hand and multiple compound fractures to both his arm and leg.
F1 tests don’t usually draw a big crowd, as cars aren’t always running on track and teams’ garages tend to be more closed off than usual during the sessions. Due to all the anticipation surrounding Kubica’s potential comeback, though, fans filled the stands in Budapest.
For a moment there we thought we were at a #football match! ⚽️🏎️#BudaTest #Kubicaisback pic.twitter.com/ycvcQaT6Mk
— Honda Racing F1_Archive (@HondaRacingF1) August 2, 2017
*hears an engine fire up*
"I wonder who that may be going ou…"
*crowd cheers*
"Never mind".Cc: @RenaultSportF1
— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) August 2, 2017
Even Fernando Alonso, who’s enjoying his summer break while some of McLaren-Honda’s junior drivers get some seat time in the “BudaTest,” was paying attention to Kubica’s test.
#KubicaDay . ☝️
Happy.
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) August 2, 2017
Kubica completed well over 100 laps Wednesday morning, and his neck seems to be coping with the heavy loads produced by the 2017 cars. As of 10:40 a.m. ET, the fastest time he has posted is a 1:18.952, which is roughly 1 1/2 seconds slower than Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg’s fastest time from qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Thumbnail photo via Renault Sport F1 Team
