Highlights

Kubica chooses momentous day for first podium

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-09-11 09:46

On any other day, Poland's Robert Kubica would have been the talk of the Formula One paddock on Sunday.

Unfortunately for the 21-year-old BMW Sauber driver, his first podium position coincided with Michael Schumacher's momentous announcement that he was retiring at the end of the season.

Kubica's drive from sixth on the starting grid to third place, in only his third race, was some achievement but the eyes of the world were entirely on seven-times world champion Schumacher after his win in Ferrari's home race.

The driver was happy enough, anyway, after being deprived of points in his debut race through no fault of his own when excessive tyre wear rendered his car too light.

"Before the race some guys from the team came to me and told me they would like to see me on the podium. I thought it was a joke and now we are here," he said.

Kubica started the season as a test driver but was brought in as replacement for Canada's 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

He has yet to be confirmed for next year but Sunday's result left little doubt that he would be.

"I am particularly happy with our second podium within five weeks because it also justifies our decision to put Robert in the race car," said team boss Mario Theissen.