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[bmwpower]

BMW Sauber have always treated both drivers equally no matter how good or bad each one is. When you are on top of the World, everything is perfect for you, when you hit rock bottom frustation kicks in but I am hoping Kubica can handle the situation a bit better. The first half of the season we see Heidfeld struggling a bit and the team did everything to help him out but at the end of the day, its the driver that needs to improve, the tide is turning a bit with Kubica struggling and he is acting a bit prima dona asking BMW to focus back on him. "The team has helped Nick a lot," France's sport24.com quotes Kubica as saying. "I hope that they will start to work a little for me, because these last four races, I think we have been asleep," the 23-year-old added. The Pole struggled to capture the same attention as his resurgent BMW Sauber teammate Nick Heidfeld at Spa-Francorchamps, and on Friday we reported that he used "harsh words". When Heidfeld struggled, he (Heidfeld) took his poor performance as his own responsibility and never blamed anyone but himself for his slump. Lets focus on what YOU need to do and not what other drivers are doing and hopefully this is just a small blimp on Kubica's radar.

[przemo]

I hope not, I would lose my respect for him. But this is not the first time he's been complaining. I remember last season he repeatedly complained that the car "just didn't work". I think that's just frustration. He's kind of a perfectionist, so he demands much from himself but also from the team and if he feels they're not giving 100%, he complains. At least that's what I think. Or wait, maybe that's jealousy of Nick's podium kicking in

[Big Azza]

I think he has a right to. He is coming third in the driver's championship. If Sauber put a bit more support on Kubica, they might be able to retain 3rd place. Kubica has to keep placing ahead of Raikonen. Perhaps Heidfeld might be able to snare 4th. Sauber will do well in Singapore.

[Dardas]

I hope not, I would lose my respect for him. But this is not the first time he's been complaining. I remember last season he repeatedly complained that the car "just didn't work". I think that's just frustration. He's kind of a perfectionist, so he demands much from himself but also from the team and if he feels they're not giving 100%, he complains. At least that's what I think. Or wait, maybe that's jealousy of Nick's podium kicking in

Wouldn't you be jealous if your pit crew strip you off from nice score during 2nd pit stop?
I admired NH move to intermediate tires and I really think his experience paid off over there, but answer yourself - if they wouldn't screw RK 2nd pit stop - he would be in front of SV, NH and possibly SB. Which mean he would have a chance to came for change tires before/instead of NH - which also means that possibly you would see him on podium.
Being 3rd - and being 6th - that's a huge difrence - and it was only his crew - nothing wrong with race - I would even say that he drove a damn good race over there.

Another think is also that his contract is not signed yet - perhaps his agent asked him to send some "I'm ready to go" signals to rest of teams in case BMW would do some stupid moves - resigning NH and adding FA for example
His father in polish TV after race made some comment that RK is not very happy in BMW lately, so you know, there is always some politics behind in this world.

[McLaren Fan]

It's frustrating for Kubica because he felt he could win more races and go for the drivers' title this year. Personally, I think that McLaren and Ferrari easily have the legs on BMW. If I were Kubica, I'd shut up. His expectations for this season were unrealistic. If he does well next season, sacrificing a few podiums and maybe another Grand Prix win or two would have been well worth it.

[bud]

meh he sounds like any other driver, if he and Alonso are teamed up i think they might have a wager on who whinges the most though

[Denthúl]

It's frustrating for Kubica because he felt he could win more races and go for the drivers' title this year. Personally, I think that McLaren and Ferrari easily have the legs on BMW. If I were Kubica, I'd shut up. His expectations for this season were unrealistic. If he does well next season, sacrificing a few podiums and maybe another Grand Prix win or two would have been well worth it.

I think I disagree. I don't think it's about winning more races, I think it's just being best-of-the-rest behind McLaren and Ferrari which, earlier in the season, BMW Sauber looked like being able to do consistently. Having been beaten by Toyotas, Renaults, Red Bulls and even Toro Rossos, you can see why Kubica is frustrated. I think he expected not to win a second race this year, but probably didn't expect not to consistently be at least challenging for the podium or fourth place.

[McLaren Fan]

It's frustrating for Kubica because he felt he could win more races and go for the drivers' title this year. Personally, I think that McLaren and Ferrari easily have the legs on BMW. If I were Kubica, I'd shut up. His expectations for this season were unrealistic. If he does well next season, sacrificing a few podiums and maybe another Grand Prix win or two would have been well worth it.

I think I disagree. I don't think it's about winning more races, I think it's just being best-of-the-rest behind McLaren and Ferrari which, earlier in the season, BMW Sauber looked like being able to do consistently. Having been beaten by Toyotas, Renaults, Red Bulls and even Toro Rossos, you can see why Kubica is frustrated. I think he expected not to win a second race this year, but probably didn't expect not to consistently be at least challenging for the podium or fourth place.

He was talking himself up to be a genuine title contender around the Canadian Grand Prix and suggesting that BMW should continue to develop this season's car. Even if he were only expecting to finish behind McLaren and Ferrari, there's not a lot of point in sacrificing 2009 to do it. The team have got things right and if they are competing for race wins next season, all of this will be forgotten about.

[Dardas]

I think that McLaren and Ferrari easily have the legs on BMW. If I were Kubica, I'd shut up. His expectations for this season were unrealistic.

especially HK and KR like you can see in drivers standing table.

I don't think he thought that he could win WDC (obviously he would be pushing for that) - but having a dozen more points a this stage was truly possible and that IMO what it's frustrating for him.

[przemo]

Wouldn't you be jealous if your pit crew strip you off from nice score during 2nd pit stop?
I admired NH move to intermediate tires and I really think his experience paid off over there, but answer yourself - if they wouldn't screw RK 2nd pit stop - he would be in front of SV, NH and possibly SB. Which mean he would have a chance to came for change tires before/instead of NH - which also means that possibly you would see him on podium.
Being 3rd - and being 6th - that's a huge difrence - and it was only his crew - nothing wrong with race - I would even say that he drove a damn good race over there.

You can't possibly think that, because of their increased focus on Nick (as Robert suggested), the crew somehow forgot how to refuel Kubica's car. It was an honest mistake, these things can happen. It's natural though that when things go wrong you're frustrated, but I don't believe that for the last few races they have only been helping Nick and forgot about Robert. I think what he means by ''asleep'' is that there's been no progress lately and maybe even some problems have surfaced which haven't yet been addressed or solved. Other teams have catched up with BMW-Sauber and it's not easy to fight for podiums now, but I think it's not that the team is not focused.
Oh yeah, and I was joking about the jealousy; as I said I think it's frustration.

[bud]

this is sounding familiar

the Pole is in a German team and they are favouring a German driver

[bmwpower]

Wouldn't you be jealous if your pit crew strip you off from nice score during 2nd pit stop?
I admired NH move to intermediate tires and I really think his experience paid off over there, but answer yourself - if they wouldn't screw RK 2nd pit stop - he would be in front of SV, NH and possibly SB. Which mean he would have a chance to came for change tires before/instead of NH - which also means that possibly you would see him on podium.
Being 3rd - and being 6th - that's a huge difrence - and it was only his crew - nothing wrong with race - I would even say that he drove a damn good race over there.

First, without the error in the 2nd pitstop, Kubica still WOULDN'T got the podium because with a perfect pitstop he would have come out in no better then fourth. Heidfeld completed his 2nd stop and IT WAS HE who called for a 3rd pitstop (to change to intermediate) and in return wasted over 35seconds in the pits, then drove balls out to pass everyone, notice when Massa crossed the line, Heidfeld was right behind him and if there was only one or two corners, he would have won the race. Heidfeld out qualified Kubica in Spa and has done a much better job the last few races against Robert, when it was the other way around, Heidfeld never complained about the team or Robert, he only complained about himself for not getting the best out of the car.

Another think is also that his contract is not signed yet - perhaps his agent asked him to send some "I'm ready to go" signals to rest of teams in case BMW would do some stupid moves - resigning NH and adding FA for example

BMWSauber has always done things THEIR WAY, they are not pressured by drivers, their focus is on the team and most importantly their global brand BMW. One reason they haven't signed Kubica is easy, why should they hurry?? He's under contract for next year and they want to see how he is as a driver when its difficult for him.

[Dardas]

First, without the error in the 2nd pitstop, Kubica still WOULDN'T got the podium because with a perfect pitstop he would have come out in no better then fourth. Heidfeld completed his 2nd stop and IT WAS HE who called for a 3rd pitstop (to change to intermediate) and in return wasted over 35seconds in the pits, then drove balls out to pass everyone, notice when Massa crossed the line, Heidfeld was right behind him and if there was only one or two corners, he would have won the race. Heidfeld out qualified Kubica in Spa and has done a much better job the last few races against Robert, when it was the other way around, Heidfeld never complained about the team or Robert, he only complained about himself for not getting the best out of the car.


BMWSauber has always done things THEIR WAY, they are not pressured by drivers, their focus is on the team and most importantly their global brand BMW. One reason they haven't signed Kubica is easy, why should they hurry?? He's under contract for next year and they want to see how he is as a driver when its difficult for him.

M8 - I said he would have a chance to change tires, not that he would change tires - IF he would be in front of NH and IF he would change tires THAN you would see him on podium.
During last 3 races - Kubica was in front of him all the time so I'm not really sure about who was doing better job. Even on Spa after start he was in front as both of them lost positions still RK recover quickier.
Only last 2 laps NH really showed why he is in F1 pack. I really loved to see NH on those 2 laps but beside this he did not impress me over there. (he had a good qual of course - I'm talking only about race)

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Kubica says still fighting for the title

By Jonathan Noble and Pablo Elizalde Thursday, September 11th 2008, 13:02 GMT

Robert Kubica says he is still thinking of fighting for the championship this season despite his increasing gap to the leaders.

The BMW Sauber driver, who led the championship earlier in the season, moved back into third place in the standings following the Belgian Grand Prix.

Kubica is now 18 points behind Lewis Hamilton and 16 behind Felipe Massa with just five races left, including this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

And despite having finished on the podium just once in the last six races, the Pole admits he has not given up on his title hopes.

"For me I am still thinking about trying my best and to try and fight for the championship," Kubica told reporters at Monza on Thursday. "I have to use the opportunities like when Kimi was off, and strange grands prix like this.

"Otherwise it is difficult in normal grands prix, without mistakes and without problems from McLaren and Ferrari, it is difficult to beat them."

Kubica suggested, however, that BMW Sauber's priority has been the constructors' championship in the last races.

"From my point of view it is very clear," he said. "I am a racing driver and I am fighting for my best, and as soon as I am doing my best I am doing it for myself and for the team.

"It is clear that if I score eight points they go to the team and to my account, but maybe the priority of late for the team was a bit different from myself.

"That is why you get this feeling and to be honest I get a bit this feeling, that maybe I am the only stupid one or crazy one who is thinking about fighting for the championship this season.

"Until there is no chance I have to do it - and I hope the team is doing the same, and I believe they are trying. That is how it is."

The Pole, winner of the Canadian Grand Prix, instead BMW have been unable to keep up with the development rate of rivals Ferrari and McLaren.

"I think we didn't improve the car as much as Ferrari and McLaren. If you go deeply into the details, in the first three races we were on a very similar level to Ferrari and McLaren, but afterwards when we get to Europe the gap becomes bigger.

"In the fourth race at Barcelona, Ferrari were much stronger than us and this gap stays quite close. Even in Monaco, or Canada where I won, the gap to the fastest car was pretty big. It was just circumstances that allowed us to win the race.

"But still I was fighting with Raikkonen and lately I am still fighting with Kimi, sometimes like in Valencia and in Hockenheim where I was in front of him before the safety car, but the gap to the winner becomes bigger.

"In Valencia I finished third, a good position, but nearly 40 seconds behind the winner. It is quite a big gap."

[7UpJordan]

Well one thing Kubica ISN'T becoming is Madonna.