Kubica open to drives away from Formula 1

Robert Kubica has said he would “consider” pursuing other interests away from Formula 1 if he cannot land a 2019 seat.

The Pole lost out to Sergey Sirotkin in the battle for the vacant Williams seat for 2018, but could have another opportunity once Lance Stroll joins his father, Lawrence, now owner of Force India.

Kubica’s first priority is to finally complete what would be a sensational return to full-time Formula 1 action following his horrific rally accident in 2011, but he would be open to joining another series if that does not materialise.

“I spent a lot of time and effort to have a chance and the priority would be to be on the starting grid in Australia,” Kubica said via Autosport.

“But if this doesn’t happen I would consider some different championship or different role. As I said, now I’m focused on trying to get a chance.”

Kubica conceded it would take time to get back to a level he would be happy with as he is being starved of track action in his current reserve and development role.

He added: “When you don’t do it for a long time or you do it like I do it, every three months, it’s normal that you have to go through different phases in order to get back your rhythm, get back feelings as natural as possible.

“If you would take even the best tennis player and you say to him: now you stop for six years. Even without injuries, nothing.

“Then you give him one hour of training and smash him into the final of Wimbledon, he will probably struggle more than all the people who are playing regularly.

“I would have so much time in the car [if he had raced this season], there would be no more question marks about myself.”

Kubica turned down a chance to follow in Fernando Alonso’s footsteps this season and combine Formula 1 duties with a full World Endurance Championship campaign.

That could possibly be an option for him again if he is forced to look elsewhere.

“It is completely different racing, a completely different category,” he added. “It might be a good challenge.

“I saw it with rallying, OK, rallying is completely different than racing, and endurance races have more similarity to let’s say F1, but still it is a different category.

“I think new challenges are nice. There is always some extra that gives you boost to go there and to see how you perform.”

Follow us on Twitter @Planet_F1 and like our Facebook page.