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On December 1, 2005, Robert Kubica became the first Pole to drive a Formula One car in anger, having been given a test by the Renault, part of his reward for winning the 2005 World Series by Renault.
Less than three weeks later, days after his twenty-first birthday, he was confirmed as third driver for the BMW Sauber F1 Team in 2006, supporting regulars, Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve.
Inevitably, Robert's racing career began in karts, aged six, and by the age of ten he was Polish champion.
In 1998 he became the first non-Italian to win the prestigious Italian Junior Kart Championship, in addition to finishing second in the European Kart Championship.
In 2001 and 2002 Robert competed in the Italian Formula Renault series and the Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup, finishing runner up in the Italian series in 2002.
2003 marked his debut in the Formula 3 Euro Series, famously winning his maiden race (Norisring). He also contested two rounds of the British F3 series.
In 2005 he represented the Spanish team, Epsilon Euskadi, in the 3.5 litre V6 World Series by Renault. With four wins, and a total of 154 points, Robert romped away with the title ahead of Adrian Valles and Markus Winkelhock.
Announcing Robert's signing as BMW's third driver, Mario Theissen said: "We have been following Robert's progress and are very impressed by his performance in recent years. He has worked hard to achieve his success without major support. We are convinced that he has the potential and the will to make the leap into Formula One and are delighted to be able to give him the opportunity to do so."
Sure enough, in the Friday practice sessions Robert was usually the pace-setter, and it wasn't long before the young Pole was being tipped as a future star.
Robert looked set to get his big break following Jacques Villeneuve's heavy crash at Hockenheim, though few realised at the time that the incident signalled the end of one (F1) career and the beginning of another.
With the Hungarian Grand Prix due to take place one week later, when Villeneuve revealed that he was still suffering headaches Robert was drafted in to partner Nick Heidfeld. The rest, as they say is history.
For a while it looked as though the young Pole had joined that elite club of Grand Prix racers to score a point in their maiden race, having brought the BMW home in eight. However, when the car was subsequently found to be underweight - though no fault of the driver - Robert was disqualified. Kubica had not only out-qualified his experienced teammate, the youngster brought the car home in one piece, surviving two major spins in difficult conditions.
Villeneuve was subsequently dropped by the Bavarian team and Formula One welcomed a driver who will lead to many headlines involving atrocious puns in the coming years.
However, a convincing performance just two races later, at Monza, saw the Pole score his first ever F1 podium, equalling BMW's previous best result in its maiden season, Heidfeld's third in Hungary.
It came as no surprise when BMW announced that it had retained Robert for 2007, Mario Theissen fully aware that he has a serious talent on his hands.
Despite the package at his disposal, witness teammate Nick Heidfeld's results, Robert made what can only be described as a "hesitant" start to the season. However, after a points finish in Bahrain he was fully in his stride by Spain and again in Monaco.
In Canada however, just as it appeared that Robert was about to take on 'Quick Nick' for the mantle of the 'best of the rest', there was one of those moments when one can only look on open-mouthed, a lump rising rapidly in the throat. It was a misunderstanding, nothing more, which saw the young Pole attempt to go around the outside of Jarno Trulli but lose control. The car veered across the track and hit the outside wall with a sickening thud, then barrel rolled down the track.
For a while, especially with no visible signs of movement within the car, F1 held its breath. However, finally there was movement, and within minutes he was extracted (fully conscious) from the car and taken to the medical centre. Within 24-hours the Pole was back on his feet, and three days later he was pleading with officials to let him race at Indianapolis - they refused his request.
Despite missing the Unites States Grand Prix - where he was replaced by Sebastian Vettel, another youngster to make an immediate impression in F1 - Robert was back in action in France, where he began another string of points winning finishes.
One tends to forget that to all intents and purposes, 2007 was Robert's rookie season, and though he never came close to emulating Lewis Hamilton's achievements it was pretty bloody impressive. Unlike Heidfeld, he didn't make it to the podium, however, there were three fourth-place finishes.
At Pitpass, we make no secret of the fact that along with Vettel, Robert is one of our favourites. We're not sure why, maybe it's the obvious enthusiasm, not to mention the fact that both are very nice guys with no airs or graces.
In 2008, what with the experience gained in 2007, Robert should make the next step forward, which, like Heidfeld, could include a win. BMW certainly appears to be approaching the sport in the right manner, making gradual but obvious progress. In Robert Kubica the German team not only has a potential race winner but a potential World Champion. One only has to ask Lewis Hamilton who is quick to admit his admiration of his former Karting rival.
Statistics - Prior to 2008 Season
Drivers' Titles: 0
Seasons in F1: 2
Grand Prix: 22
Wins: 0
Points: 45
Poles: 0
Fastest Laps: 0
Best result in 2007: 4th (3 times)
Best qualifying 2007: 4th (France)
Worst qualifying 2007: 10th (Japan)
Average grid position 2007: 6.38
2007: Out-qualified Nick Heidfeld 5 times
2007: Out-qualified by Nick Heidfeld 11 times
2007: Completed 901 out of 992 laps (90.83%)
2007: Finished 13 times from 16 starts (81%)
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