In retrospect, Robert Kubica's return behind the wheel of an F1 car last week in Valencia was the first stage of a comeback attempt which now appears definite.
Whether the Pole, whose F1 career was abruptly halted in 2011 by an injury sustained in a rally accident, will succeed in joining the grid in the future is uncertain, but try with all his might he will.
In a lengthy interview with Poland's F1 broadcaster Eleven Sports (thanks to @f1talks for the translation), the former BMW and Renault driver offered his account of the test and what may be in store for the future.
"It was really an emotional moment and I felt like a little boy, like starting from zero," Kubica said.
"On the other hand I’m older and it’s getting harder to get some sleep than it was 15 years ago.
"Emotions were on a high level and sensations stayed with me to this point and will stay a little bit longer.
"To be honest I was working a lot to be prepared and my physical form has never been as good as it is now – even in during the "golden times" of my F1 career.
"My hard work helped a lot. I was ready for almost everything – many things were beyond my control until that day.
"It turned out it wasn’t so scary and it was not as far as it might seem before the test."
At the end of his day at Valencia, Kubica clocked in with 115 laps under his belt in a 2012-spec Lotus E20, and apparently with some impressive laps times.
But the 32-year-old is looking beyond his performance that day.
"I think lap times are not so much important. I could use thousands of words to describe the test but I think the best summary for a whole test came from the guy who worked with me in 2010 – he was close to me in the team – and was in Valencia that day.
"He said one sentence describing everything: 'The most important thing is you are still F1 driver.'
" It’s not reality, I’m not on the grid, but to hear those words from the guy who saw many great drivers – and was with me in 2010 – means a lot. It’s a great feeling."
As he moves ahead, Kubica does not believe he would have any major difficulties driving Formula 1's new-spec faster cars, although he insists a test is not in the cards... yet.
"To be honest I don’t think I will have any problems with new cars. The new cars are faster in the corners but it’s not a big difference compared to 2012 cars.
"They're faster than last year’s cars or cars from the penultimate season when downforce was reduced.
"If I will get a chance to test a new generation car I don’t think it will be a problem for me. Of course I will have to learn many things, to learn new parts but it’s just a matter of time.
"But we should stay calm and don’t put me into the car yet. If I will get a chance I will do the job as good as I can and I will try to learn as much as I can but it’s beyond my control.
Robert Kubica (POL), Renault F1 Team. Marina Bay Street Circuit.
While the future remains unclear at this stage for Robert Kubica, his will to at least give a comeback a try is real, and a path is being laid out in front of him.
"I have a plan in my head. I can write many different scenarios but many things happened in my life during last six years and to be honest many things changed also inside of me.
"I will be working to reach my targets – targets that I’m able to reach. I will try to make it happen. It’s too early to talk about the future
"I don’t know what will happen. I know only one thing and I’m in full control of this. I will be preparing to reach the highest goals.
"Three months ago my target was to test F1 car and I think I was prepared really good. What is my new target?
"It would sound stupid if I would say a have no new targets. I got a huge boost after Valencia and my self confidence is much higher now.
"I know how my limitations are influencing my driving and that’s a positive aspect. What will the future bring? It’s beyond me."
