netoperek wrote: ↑15 Jan 2018, 17:45
I understand Your point of view and it indeed seems logical from one perspective. I even told I feel sorry for SS as he must probably achieve more than drivers with less support to prove his worth. His critics may also be unjustly too hard on him.
The problem I see in this situation is that it is not obvious. No one really cares or wants to make it more clear as well. It's all speculative. In such conditions, it's virtually impossible to judge real performance or potential.
Kubica had one real shot on 2018 hypersofts, one lap to prove everything. In a new car, on new tires, with not so much of a preparation, with team deciding on how much of true pace they want to show (PU setting, fuel level, etc) He obviously had not made it a perfect lap (Mark Hughes pointed out his purple mini sectors would combine into a much better laptime). This single try is currently used as the only benchmark of Kubica's ability, as he had no chance to make a flier in Hungaroring at all. Rest of his latest test driving would have to be calculated with numerous situational factors in mind to be even somewhat representative. Something that cannot be done without a knowledge only Williams and Renault have, but are reluctant to share. As SS and RK were apparently doing different programs it's even hard to compare their drives on other compounds. SS have not driven a single lap on Ultrasofts (iirc), yet now its a common theme that he had managed new tires better and is all round faster. Without even driving them! See how fishy it seems from different perspective?
Just after the test, whole Williams team gave Kubica a standing ovation. After Hungaroring everyone was impressed. During "rehabilitation process" driving he has shown speed in everything he drove. What's more important, Hungary test (I haven't found comprehensive info on Abu dhabi test, so can't really tell it's story progress-wise) has shown progress with each successive stint. Test which took place because Kubica impressed in Valencia, where he has been directly compared to SS. If he has been slower then, would Renault give such precious testing time to a "expired" driver? After Abu Dhabi, Lowe said Kubica was at work not on show and his comments like these "[His feedback is] very good. He is a driver of tremendous experience and very knowledgable around his work. His job is a professional racing driver so he has that confidence and you can feel it in the garage – so everybody’s happy with Robert.” and many other similar, may suggest he did a pretty decent at that.
I don't mind Williams picking a better driver. I'm actually all for it. Problem is, there is no clear indication which one is it. Williams is in a position to shape opinion on the subject as they please, regardless of what is true. And when money and politics come into play, combined with information embargo, wildest theories can thrive. After all F1 is a business not a sentimental play. Kubica is still probably a risk and Sirotkin is probably an instant profit. I personally would still respect Williams if they admitted they foremost want or need cash (if that would be the case, of course), but I imagine it can't happen in today's PR obsessed world.
TL;DR
With nothing certain and everything open for debate, I still think Kubica is the better driver as I haven't seen enough evidence to prove me wrong. You are absolutely free to have a different opinion and it's as justified as mine.
At this point either can be right and hopefully we can verify somehow, someday.
