Robert Kubica from Krakow came to the attention of the newly formed BMW Sauber F1 Team thanks to an impressive championship win in the 2005 World Series by Renault, and was signed as its official test and reserve driver on 20 December, 2005.

After doing an excellent job as a 'Friday driver' in twelve Grand Prix weekends, the 21-year-old was promoted to one of the two BMW Sauber F1.06 racing
seats for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Since then he has qualified in the top ten each time and in Monza, only his third Formula One race, he scored his first podium.

Can you describe your emotions when you found yourself on th the podium in Monza?
Robert Kubica: My first emotion was happiness, and also great satisfaction for giving my team an important result. The fact that it happened in Monza is also not insignificant for me.

Would you describe yourself as an emotional person?
RK: Not really. In my job it does not help and I am lucky not to be so.

What did you do in the days after the Monza race?
RK: I went to Tuscany to Dr Ceccarelli's 'Formula Medicine'. It is a nice place where you can rest and train at the same time. The season is not finished yet and I want to keep my fitness preparation as high as possible.

How was your reception in Krakow?
RK: The people in my home town are obviously very excited, and it.s a bit difficult to handle the situation. From one side it is very good, but from another it is complicated, especially for me. However, I am aware there is a small price to pay in terms of loss of privacy when you become a public person.

Do you think more podiums in 2006 are a possibility?
RK: I know now the expectation is to repeat this good result, but I am aware that it is not easy. The difference is now I know it is possible, but each race has its own story and I prefer to start each race weekend without thinking about the previous ones.

How much has your life changed since you entered Formula One?
RK: There have not been any major lifestyle changes for me. I have been racing since I was very young and I am used to it. Formula One is very demanding on your time and this means there is almost no time left for personal issues. But it is just a matter of organising my schedule better, and in the end everything will go smoothly.

What are the most important characteristics a Formula One driver must have?
RK: To develop the car with his race engineer and try to get the most out of it in all different conditions. And then push on the throttle!

When and why did you become interested in motor racing?
RK: I was too young to remember when - you should ask my father!

What was your first vehicle?
RK: It was a very small French car. I also drove a Renault in an F1 test in Barcelona last year, but that one had a lot more horse power!

You moved to Italy as a 13-year year-old to continue your karting career. How was it possible for you live there on your own without your family?
RK: Italians are very friendly people and I picked up the language quite easily. All in all I have good memories, and when you are so young you don't need many things. I sometimes missed my family, but the fact was I had no alternatives if I wanted to compete in a professional environment.

What was the worst experience in your life?
RK: My road car accident when I broke my arm. I knew sooner or later I would recover but I didn.t know if this would negatively affect my career.

Which one would you call your best race ever?
RK: My debut race in the F3 Euroseries at the Norisiring. This was just six weeks after my road accident and I won. I could only use my right arm to change gears and had to do most of the steering work with my left arm.

What do you think about Michael Schumacher's retirement at the end of 2006?
RK: He has made his decision and I do not feel I am in a position to comment on this. However, my first podium has been with him, and I can tell you it was an honour for me.