01/08/2006
NEWS STORY
The BMW Sauber F1 Team will take their place on the grid for the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest this coming weekend with a different driver line-up.
After his accident at the German Grand Prix last weekend Canadian driver Jacques Villeneuve will not be racing. Test and reserve driver Robert Kubica will take his place. He will be the first Pole ever to contest a Formula One grand prix.
BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen said: "Jacques has informed us that he is not ready to race after his Hockenheim accident. Robert has made an outstanding impression with the team so far, both in testing and on the Friday of the race weekends. Now we will see how he performs in a Formula One race. However, we have not yet made a decision on who will drive the car either in the remaining races of the season or next year."
21-year-old Kubica is looking forward to the new challenge: "I had prepared myself for a whole year without actually competing in any races, so I'm even happier to get this opportunity. And I'm proud that the BMW Sauber F1 Team has such confidence in me. I'm determined not to let them down."
Questioned by Pitpass, a team spokesman said that no decision has been made as to who, if anyone, will drive the third car this weekend.