Haas admits talks with Kubica
Gunther Steiner has confirmed he is in talks with Robert Kubica about the Pole becoming a development driver in 2020.
Kubica has struggled on his return to F1 this year and fallen out with Williams. His sponsor PKN Orlen is also reportedly in talks about becoming Haas' title sponsor.
But Racing Point has also been linked with the Kubica-Orlen deal.
"Yes, we are talking to Robert about a role on the team," Haas boss Steiner said in Mexico.
"We still have to develop our simulator to the next step and he is one of the most qualified to help us to do so."
Steiner also admitted that Kubica's role would include actual track testing, and potentially official practice outings on Fridays.
"When we get ourselves into situations like this year with the tyres, it's important to work not only on the track but also in the simulator.
"But I can't say yet. We are still talking about it. The deal hasn't been made yet," Steiner added.
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Great news. I hope Kubia gets into another F1 team who is willing to treat him with respect ! This is great to show F1 enganing in an equalities agenda .
HAAS hopefully will take the sponsor money and use Kubia to his best!
Not only do we have pay-to-drive drivers it looks like we've pay-to-test ones. Great driver in his time but it's time to move on following his results in the Williams compared to his rookie team mate
OK then, I ask this with a smile and zero animosity. In your slightly biased opinion is anyone other than a Brit worthy of a F1 seat? Haas needs a title sponsor and KUB can certainly fill the sim seat and has a good relationship with PKN Orlen. Sounds like a great match to me.
Not biased at all. You should always compare drivers with their team mate both in finishes and quali.
I prefer drivers with talent and youth on their side rather than ones that bring money into team, if you think money is more important fine maybe you'll learn to be a true F1 later on in life.
As to non-Brit drivers try Verstatppenm, Leclerc, Albon, the list is endless but it doesn't include Kubica much like the F1 2020 entry list!
Ouch, that hurt. You miss my point. I am not suggesting that KUB should be out there pounding around on race day. I simply believe that there is value to Haas to have his development experience and his relationship with a potential title sponsor. As to drivers bringing money, read a bit about Senna and Lauda. They seem to have worked out OK. Current reference?...PER is working out pretty well for Racing Point. I'm not saying that it is right, only that it is.
The pole is "YESTERDAYS HERO", he should be the one to take up knitting....just look at his times !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No place out here in fandom for vitriol. A good development driver doesn't have to be the quickest to be effective, and let's consider the quality of the Williams. That said, he should certainly make way for younger talent. He proved his point with his recovery.
BTW, KUB is Polish which makes him a Pole with a cap letter.