Kubica lack of confidence contributed to crash

For ROKiT Williams driver Robert Kubica the opening series of races in the 2019 Formula One season has seen him struggle to come to grips with a 2019 Williams car that is vastly lacking in performance. Also Robert has had issues particular to his car that have added to his lack of confidence in the car.

For Robert his issues with the FW42 were brought to a head when he was to crash his car in the opening period of qualifying in the 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Robert would crash at Turn eight after having made contact with the wall entering the corner seeing his car end up in the barrier on the other side of the track.

For Robert his lack of confidence in the FW42 is hindering his ability to push the car such as in the Azerbaijan qualifying. Despite admitting that his crash was a mistake his lack of confidence in the car has made his situation even more difficult.

Now he is faced with having to give himself "a bit more margin" as he can't drive the car due to its handling issues.

Robert would explain his accident by saying: "I turned in a bit too early and clipped the left wall on the inside, the damage opened up the wheel there and then it pushed me into the outside wall."

"With the cooler track conditions, the warm-up was a bigger issue than in FP3.

"Then we had an issue which we also had yesterday, which isn't bringing a lot of confidence but I don't want to find an excuse.

"I should probably take a bit more of a margin for what was not giving me a lot of confidence, but yeah, that's how it is.

"I nearly crashed there a couple of laps earlier when I was on a slow lap. I nearly went straight into the barrier.

"This time I corrected too much and the car actually braked and turned in too well - as I say, I should take a bit more margin there and that's it."

As for the loss of half the Friday practice due to the issue with the drain covers Robert responded by saying: "Lost practice didn't help obviously, but it's not like this contributed to my mistake in qualifying.

"Definitely, with a few more laps in the belt it would be easier but it's not like I made a mistake because of missing FP1."