Nico Rosberg’s former physiotherapist Daniel Schlosser has become the latest figure in the F1 paddock to tip a full-time return to the series for Robert Kubica. Schlosser worked with Rosberg during his world championship year, and now works with Force India’s Nikita Mazepin.
Rosberg’s former physiotherapist backs Robert Kubica F1 comeback
Kubica is targeting a return to the F1 grid in 2018 after being involved in a severe rally accident in 2011 which changed his life dramatically. The Polish driver recently tested the 2017 Renault R.S.17 in Hungary following a number of private tests at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia and at Paul Ricard in France, driving the Lotus E20 of the 2012 Season.
Despite Kubica having a permanently damaged right arm after it was partially severed in the accident, Schlosser believes that the injury will not be an obstacle to his return. “He still has very good muscles in his right arm — only the volume is not so great,” Schlosser told Sport Bild.
While some doubted Kubica’s ability due to the injury he carries, Schlosser disagreed. “Nico [Rosberg], for example, always had a lot of tension in his wrists, so he had to train his arms heavily. But other drivers are lighter on the steering due to having a different driving technique,” he said. “Nick Heidfeld was one of them, and probably also Kubica. They never had to train as much as the others.”
One issue for Kubica may come from tight left hand corners such as Monaco’s hairpin due to his right arm being compromised. However, Schlosser explained that the Pole can find a way around this. “Instead of pressing with the right, you can pull with the left. And depending on the technique, this can even be more efficient.”
“In Hungary, he ran a very difficult programme in high temperatures, which was hard for some young drivers. Anyone who can handle that can also handle a grand prix,” Schlosser said.
Robert Kubica is one of a number of candidates for a drive with Renault in 2018, with Carlos Sainz Jr, Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez and Oliver Rowland being linked to the seat while Jolyon Palmer is looking to be retained by the Enstone-outfit for a third season.
