The 14 races of the 2019 World Cup were an ordeal for Robert Kubica, massacred by George Russell, his garage partner in Williams. The Polish, 34, was never able to meet the expectations of the hundreds of compatriots who accompany him every weekend. And he announced his goodbye, before he was kicked out, at the Singapore GP.

"I have enjoyed my time with this team, but I feel that now is the right time to move on to the next chapter," Kubica revealed Thursday in the press room at the Marina Bay circuit. Not even nine years had elapsed since his presentation in Abu Dhabi, but his F1 career was over.

The second driver, after Kimi Raikkonen, more veteran of the grid lost to Russell in each of the 14 qualifying sessions played so far. Some by a blushing margin. In the race, he only surpassed his partner in two dates, although one of them was a special joy for the Grove team.

Goodbye to the oil company

On July 28, in Hockenheim, a wink of fortune awarded Kubica the only point for Williams throughout the season. The disqualification of the Alfa Romeo pushed the 88th car to the tenth place, just behind Lewis Hamilton. The old friend of the days of the karting paid tribute yesterday also in the press room of Singapore. "He is one of the greatest talents I have ever met," the pentacampeón revealed.

Kubica's prestige on the grill, despite these two years of horrors, still seems safe. Everyone still seems to remember his victory in the 2008 Canadian GP or his fifth place in that World Cup. Then the terrible accident came during a rally in February 2011. The aftermath in his right hand has proved too hard.

Goodbye to the oil company

"This year has been extremely difficult, although despite everything I think I made the right decision," said Kubica, who is not yet clear on what competition his passion for the motor will now turn. His departure also means that of PKN Orlen, an oil company that leaves Williams without one of its main sources of funding.

At the moment, Claire Williams handles the option of Nicholas Latifi as Russell's partner for 2020. However, it is not convenient to forget that the billionaire father of the Canadian, current DAMS pilot in F2, became a year ago the most important private investor of McLaren since the time of Ron Dennis.

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  • Lewis Hamilton
  • Kimi raikkonen
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