Kubica "not scared" about F1 return despite eight years out

Robert Kubica has insisted he is "not scared at all" about making his long-anticipated return to Formula One after eight years out of the sport following a serious rally-car crash back in 2011.

Kubica was involved in a horrific rally accident back in 2011 that left him with severe injuries to his right arm; with some people wondering if the Pole would ever drive again.

Eight years on, Kubica has signed for Williams for the 2019 season and he has told all his fans out there that he has "no fear" despite an eight-year absence from motorsport's wealthiest competition.

"We will start from zero so I am not afraid that I have been away for eight years," the new Williams driver told Crash. "I am looking forward and I know what it takes and what I have to do. If I do my job well then everybody will be happy.

"It will be an even bigger challenge from a sporting point of view to make sure I'm delivering what we're expecting from my side. I'm not scared at all. I'm ready and excited and it gives me additional motivation and dedication to what I have been doing already."

Kubica understands why people would now doubt how well he'll perform in an F1 car, but has said an extra year out from the sport (with Kubica rumoured to be making a 2018 return) has given him more benefit.

"The more experience you have, the more confidence you get and the more ready you are," Kubica explained. "Partially, I was ready last January, but it have me more time to learn.

"It's true that driving an F1 car in testing is helpful, it's not that you learn everything. It's more about discovering not learning, discovering things, all drivers they have to do it, with the new cars, the new tyres with the new season.

"This is the perfect moment for me. That's why I decided to go for it, I'm feeling ready."