RK M-Sport World Rally Team’s Robert Kubica completed the first full day of competition at Rally Italia Sardegna in a highly respectable fifth position. Combining his recent caution with flashes of his customary speed, the Pole is continuing to progress behind the wheel of his Ford Fiesta RS WRC.
In what is arguably the toughest and most challenging day of this weekend’s event, Robert and co-driver Maciek Szczepaniak combined a steady start with some impressive stage times to underline their potential.
As the latter half of the loop returned to more familiar territory, Robert was able to harness his experience from last year’s WRC 2 winning campaign. Highlighting the importance of experience at the WRC’s highest league, the Pole set the second fastest time through ‘Loelle 1’ (SS5) to jump an impressive four places – from ninth to fifth overall.
With only a short 15 minute remote service to split the 159.98 kilometres of competitive stages, crews had to endure a technical route and blistering heat without the comfort of a traditional service break. The technicians were limited to the spares which had been carried in the competition cars that day and the crews were under pressure to make it through the morning loop unscathed.
Despite the added challenge, Robert took the day in his stride and continued to consolidate his position with a string of consistently competitive times over the afternoon loop.
With another challenging day to come – including two passes of the mammoth ‘Monte Lerno’ stage at 59.13 kilometres in length – the Pole is perfectly placed to equal, if not better, his best ever result in the FIA World Rally Championship.*
Robert Kubica (5th) said:
“It’s been a good day. It was quite tricky in the morning as the stage was really slippery but I think that we settled into a good rhythm. We were able to show some good pace on the stages that were familiar to me from last year, and we have had a clean run with no big moments.
“There is still a long way to go, but for the moment, it is going well for us and I’ve been happy with the pace and the progress we have made. It’s another positive step forward and we just need to continue like this.
Team Principal, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:
“It’s been a really encouraging day for Robert [Kubica]. He’s continued where he left off in Argentina and the pace that he has shown on the stages he experienced in 2013 just goes to show how important knowledge of these events can be. He’s had a really clean run with no mistakes. If he continues as he has so far, he’ll be on course for another very strong result.”
*5th at ADAC Rallye Deutschland in 2013.