Robert Kubica gets to grips with DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé

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Today, F1 driver Robert Kubica got behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz C-Coupe AMG DTM car at Valencia. The purpose of the test held on the Ricardo Tormo circuit was evaluating the skill and performance of the Polish driver, whom we all knew suffered a terrible accident in 2013 during a rally. Merc's newly appointed motorsporting director Toto Wolff was also there to have a chat with Robert and evaluate his laps. In the near future, depending on the results of the test, Mercedes-Benz could also consider adding Kubica to their lineup of DTM drivers.

UPDATE: OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE from Mercedes-Benz

Ex-Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica (Poland, 28) completed his first test in the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé on 24th January 2013 at Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo. During this first test session in the world’s most popular touring car series, Kubica had to get accustomed to the handling characteristics of a racing car with which he was totally unfamiliar. He covered 114 laps, which equates to 456.570 kilometres, of the 4.005km circuit where he has posted so many test kilometres in Formula 1 in the past.

Robert Kubica: “My first day of testing in a DTM car was great fun and I learned a lot about the series and the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé. The first installation lap was in the dry, then a few heavy showers of rain came down and we had to wait for the track to dry out. All in all, it was a good experience, getting to know the car in different weather conditions. I was able to get to grips with the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé and felt very comfortable in the car, even though after my long break it meant adjusting to the high downforce that a state-of-the art DTM race car produces. I’m very pleased with my performance on this first day of DTM testing and had no problems whatsoever in the car.”

Here you have the best photos of the day - enjoy! :)

* Official photos courtesy of Mercedes-AMG GmbH *

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Robert Kubica to test Mercedes-Benz DTM car in Valencia

Don't Copy From This Blog...

24th January 2013, ex-Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica (Poland, 28) undertakes his first tests in a DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia. During the day’s testing, Kubica aims to see how he fares in the cockpit after his long break due to injury.

Kubica sustained multiple injuries in an accident on the 6th February 2011 whilst rallying. He has taken part in various national rallies during the past few months in preparation for a possible return to motor racing. This test drive with Mercedes-Benz in the world’s most popular touring car series represents his first proper outing on a racetrack under actual test conditions since his time in Formula 1.

Kubica was a member of the Mercedes-Benz motor racing family right back at the start of his career; during the 2004 season, the Polish driver lined up in a Dallara-Mercedes on the Formula 3 Euro Series grid for Mücke Motorsport. Kubica took three podiums and 53 points running a Mercedes-Benz Formula 3 engine. That same year, he took second place on the podium in the prestigious Formula 3 Grand Prix at Macau’s Guia street circuit.

Before his serious rallying accident in early 2011, Kubica had contested 76 Formula 1 races, winning his first grand prix – the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix – in Montreal.

Robert Kubica: “I’m really pleased that Mercedes-Benz is giving me the opportunity to test their DTM car and I’m looking forward to getting acclimatised to a race car again. It will be in proper testing conditions, on a permanent circuit, and it’s important because the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé has good levels of downforce. It’s still too early to make any statements about my future because of this one test. I’m just looking forward to tomorrow and we’ll see what happens after that.”

* Official photos and details courtesy of Mercedes-AMG GmbH *

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