THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PARIS — Robert Kubica walked away from a potentially fatal accident at the Canadian Grand Prix last year without a scratch.
This year, he’s got a strong chance to come away with his first career Formula One victory.
The BMW Sauber driver’s car was catapulted into a concrete wall before somersaulting across the track in a shower of debris to come to a rest with only the cockpit — and the Polish driver — left intact.
Kubica checked out of the hospital the next day with a slight concussion and a sprained ankle.
Now, he is approaching his return to Montreal with the same composure that has made him a championship hopeful this year.
“I don’t have to cope (with the mental part) because it’s already a year ago and since then I have been driving a Formula One car without thinking about it,” the 23-year-old said. “In Formula One and motorsport the risks are high, but I don’t have any negative feelings about Canada.”
There won’t be any psychological complications leading into the chicane at the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit this year, where his car — travelling at 240 km/h — slammed into the concrete wall after going over the top of Jarno Trulli’s Toyota.
“I think your mental state is important in every sport, but in Formula One it is particularly important,” said Kubica, who is coming off a second-place finish at Monaco, where his mental strength helped him avoid an accident on the rain-soaked street circuit.
“Even in dry conditions, Monaco is very demanding mentally, but this time it was even more difficult. We had to maintain concentration for two hours while driving between the barriers at the limit in ever-changing conditions.”
The season-opening Australian Grand Prix aside, Kubica has been F1’s most consistent driver this season.
He hasn’t finished outside the top four since Sepang and is fourth in the overall standings with 32 points, trailing McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton by six points. The Ferraris of defending world champion Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa are sandwiched between them.
“I don’t think (I can win the championship), but of course anything can happen in Formula One,” Kubica said. “Recently, it has been more difficult for us to be up there. If I see an opportunity, of course, I shall do my best.”
Kubica shed 13 pounds over the off-season to help close the gap with teammate Nick Heidfeld, who scored 61 points to his 39 last year. It’s part of what has helped Kubica outperform Heidfeld in 2008.
“The results this year show just how much I was struggling last year, and I think I was struggling much more than anyone outside realized. Last year was extremely disappointing for me, but I have learned from this, and I’m happy I have been able to improve the performance so much,” he said.
Kubica is being earmarked as a potential F1 champion, his aggressive driving style drawing comparisons to two-time champion Fernando Alonso. BMW Sauber holds the option on his 2009 contract but rumours are swirling around the paddock that Ferrari is interested in Poland’s first F1 driver.
“I would just like the best option for me, but we will see what it will be,” Kubica said. “For now I am just concentrating on this year and doing the best job possible. Then we will have to see.”