Robert Kubica says that comparing Formula 1 to Le Mans is like contrasting a sprinter to a marathon runner, with very different approaches required for each discipline.
The Alfa Romeo reserve driver is complementing his F1 commitment this year with an endeavor into the world of endurance racing with European Le Mans Series entrant Team WRT.
But the winning Belgian outfit will also be out in force at Le Mans this week with a two-car effort, with its #41 entry steered by Kubica, Louis Deletraz and Chinese charger Yifei Ye.
It will be Kubica's first experience racing in the classic endurance event and the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix winner got his first taste of the legendary venue during the event's test day held last weekend.
Speaking to MotorsportWeek, the 36-year-old Pole compared the worlds of endurance racing and F1.
"Everything is different, it's like comparing sprint race runners to marathons," he said.
"They don’t even look the same because if you are a sprinter, you need to have a completely different, let’s say mass of body than the marathon.
"In the end it is the same sport, but it’s such a difference, the approach is different."
©TeamWRT
Kubica nevertheless pinpointed one similarity between the two forms of racing.
"Probably the similar thing is when you drive the car in the end, it takes you trying to extract maximum from the package, but as it is endurance racing, you have to minimize your risks.
"You have to have to think of everything, a lot of things can happen and will happen during the race. We are aware of it and I’m aware of it. So yeah, definitely there is much more differences than similarities."
Team WRT is a dominant force this season in the ELMS, which augurs well for its prospects at Le Mans.
But luck and circumstances are factors to be reckoned with in the 24-hour race, so Kubica is keeping it real ahead of his debut in the Sarthe.
"The goal will be first of all to finish the race," he said. "Second of all, priority will be finishing it without the big issues – technical, sporting or driving.
"I think this makes a key point, first of all, and then we have to focus on ourselves, trying to do our best race, always with the respect of the event, respect of the track, as the challenge is massive, it’s not an easy event. And then we will see."
Kubica was hoping to warm up to his Le Mans effort by taking part in the Rolex 24 at Daytona back in January. But an early retirement in the race cut short that experience.
"The one thing we are lacking and missing for sure is the experience of this event," he admitted.
"Relatively we are also young, I’m young in endurance racing. I entered the 24 Hours of Daytona this year, but we had to retire after one and a half hours.
"So in the end, I never have experienced a full week of 24 hour racing. This is for sure something which is completely different to what I’m used to.
"So as I said, we have to focus on ourselves as much as we can. And then see if we are able to deliver a good work and execute our work correctly.”
"I think I already think this could be a good achievement and then, of course, the final result will be important. But I think the most important thing is to be happy and to be satisfied of your job."
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