Tough times for Kubica in France

ROBERT KUBICA

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Saturday 21st June 2008

Robert Kubica's lead of the World Championship could be brief if BMW are unable to overcome their problems ahead of tomorrow's French GP.

The Pole could only manage the seventh fastest time in qualifying at the Circuit de Nevers, his worst one-lap performance of the season.

But due to grid penalties for McLaren duo Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen, Kubica has been elevated to fifth, matching his season-low starts in Turkey and Monaco.

With an all-Ferrari front-row, however, of Kimi Raikkonen on pole and team-mate Felipe Massa, Kubica could well be deposed at the top of the standings by either driver depending on how the race unfolds.

Appreciating it has been an uncomfortable two days for his team in Magny-Cours, Kubica said: "It looks like we are having a difficult weekend.

"After yesterday's practice sessions I was expecting us to struggle, and so it has proved.

"The balance of the car is not how I want it to be, and it has poor overall grip.

"The gap to the top teams appears to have stayed the same, and at the same time the other teams have obviously made a big step forward.

"My goal now is to score as many points as possible in the race, which certainly will not be easy."

The other teams Kubica is referring to are Renault and Toyota as Fernando Alonso starts third and Jarno Trulli fourth, with Mark Webber and David Coulthard directly behind him on the grid in sixth and seventh.

Alonso was clearly happy with his qualifying performance, and just 24 hours after stating he did not want to end 2008 without finishing on the podium at least once, now has the perfect opportunity to do so.

Unlike in the Spanish Grand Prix when he was fuelled on fumes to claim second on the grid and so thrill his fans in Barcelona, his performance today appeared to be more genuine.

"The car has really improved, and so for the first time this season we have a real chance to fight for the podium," remarked Alonso.

"The Ferraris are certainly a step ahead, but we will give our maximum to get a good result."