Kubica confesses that 'F1 period is gone'

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Robert Kubica has finally adjusted to a life without Formula 1 as the former Grand Prix driver embarks on a season of LMP1 racing in the WEC.

Widely considered an outstanding talent, and the winner of the 2008 Canadian GP, Kubica's F1 career came to an abrupt halt when an injury sustained in a rallying accident in 2011 forced the Pole out of the sport.

He eventually found himself behind the wheel of a WRC rally car, and enjoyed a few circuit outings last year before accepting Colin Kolles offer to race for his private LMP1 outfit By Kolles.

"I have been through a difficult period in life," Kubica told the media at the WEC's Prologue event in Monza.

" First I decided to go rallying, but rallying went not as I was expecting. In the end I stopped for a bit, to reset everything.

"I did step back a lot from the circuit after my recovery from the accident, because the circuit was reminding me too much about what I was doing before.

"It was all my life. It was racing and Formula 1 was the best that I could get.

"To be honest, I was surprised by how many people I met in Bahrain and also here, which I remember from F1. It's something which before, for sure, would be mixed feelings [for me].

"But in the end, that period is gone - I'm ready to start working 100 percent on what is my challenge for this year and for the future."

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Kubica was initially apprehensive of driving an LMP1 due to the relative physical limitations associated with his right forearm.

"In the beginning, I was not sure if I would be able to drive LMP cars because the cockpit is quite small, especially the right-hand-side cockpit cars," Kubica said.

The former BMW F1 and Lotus driver got acquainted with his new mount in Bahrain at the end of last year.

"I didn't want to try something which I was not sure 100 percent I would be able to drive - because it will give me again reminders, it will highlight that I have bigger limitations than I think.

"It was my first time in an LMP1 car in my life. It was a good experience, I didn’t do a lot of laps but straight away I found a good rhythm.

"Kolles made it quite clear that, if I'm interested, he's happy to put me in the car. I said 'why not' - for me it's a good, soft way of coming back to racing, especially in a category where I have no experience."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.