Theissen: Kubica is ready to win

Robert Kubica is a changed man this season and he is ready to start winning races, according to BMW motorsport boss Mario Theissen.

The 23-year-old on Saturday clinched his and his team`s maiden pole position, having been very close already in the season-opening race in Australia.

Kubica, who finished in second place in the Malaysian Grand Prix two weeks ago, is racing in only his 25th grand prix, having completed his first full season last year.

Theissen says Kubica has changed his approach since last season, and he is now more motivated than before.

“He has over the winter in my view become much more positive, open and motivated,” Theissen told reporters in Bahrain. “We saw that in the tests and also in the cooperation with the team.

“And I think he can now be sure that he is ready to win a race as soon as the car is there.

“That gives him confidence in his own abilities but also in his team. That is very important. So I think Robert and the team are very well on track.”

Kubica made his grand prix debut in 2006, replacing former world champion Jacques Villeneuve.

The Pole had a somewhat difficult season in 2007, but Theissen says he feels vindicated now Kubica is enjoying such a strong season.

And the team boss reckons Kubica is set to be one of the star drivers of the field.

“It is very rewarding. I have some comments in mind from people who were quite negative on Robert, even earlier this year, Theissen added. “It is very good for him, for the team and for everybody to see such a demonstration of strong performance here like in qualifying.

“And in Melbourne he could have been on pole already. It is very good and certainly makes it clear that this was the right decision. And that Robert can become one of the stars of F1.”

Kubica has been starting on his way to success, and has been on a diet to improve his performance since the end of last season, having lost six kilos between the last race of 2007 and the first of 2008.

“It was clear to Robert that he could improve the performance of the package by losing weight, because what he loses can be added in the form of ballast - and that makes the car quicker,” Theissen said.

5.4.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ Kubica, Theissen    ▪ www.autosport.com