Kubica: No tension between myself and Williams

Robert Kubica has denied there is any tension between himself and the Williams team despite raising frustrations over its decision-making in Japan two weeks ago.

Kubica claimed after the race at Suzuka that Williams had removed an updated front wing from his car ahead of qualifying without telling him, saying it was “not the right way”.

Kubica has already confirmed he will be leaving Williams at the end of the season, but denied having questioned Williams in Suzuka, and rejected suggestions that there was tension between the two sides.

“I think there is no tension. The situation is not easy, and I have a good relationship with the team,” Kubica said on Thursday in Mexico.

“For sure what happens is not affecting my relationship with the people I am working with. We are all in the same boat, and we are all understanding very well our situation, although we have probably sometimes different points of view.

“I think I have been in the sport long enough and in different situations that I understand also a team point of view. That’s why probably sometimes it would be easier just to talk instead of doing this differently.

“As I said, I don’t think our relationship is any different to what it was before, as I have big respect for the people who are working there to make it work, and of course sometimes we are limited with the tools we are having, but this is how it is.

“Probably I have even more respect because I know how is the situation, and that is why the people, they are not giving up and the guys are pushing really hard. They really are doing an amazing job for what we are having.”

Kubica confirmed on Thursday that he is in talks with Haas over a potential simulator role for the 2020 season, but the Pole is eager to retain a racing programme outside F1 as part of any agreement.

Kubica is widely expected to be replaced by Formula 2 driver Nicholas Latifi at Williams for 2020, who will partner George Russell.