RST: Kubica to make Renault Sport Trophy debut

Ex-Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica will race in the Renault Sport Trophy series at Spa next weekend.

The Polish driver will share the Renault RS01 machine with French GT racer Christophe Hamon in the penultimate round of the series, which requires each car to feature a professional and an amateur driver.

Kubica, who made his return to circuit racing earlier this year in the Mugello 12 Hours following the injuries he sustained in 2011 that ended his F1 career, has already tested the car at Ales in France.

"I quickly felt at ease at the wheel of the RS01, and even on a twist track like Ales its qualities were immediately evident, especially the stopping power," said Kubica. "I was impressed by how late into the corner you can brake and the lack of body roll, even when you push to make the most of the available grip.

"I look forward to driving it at Spa, where all the downforce the car can generate will also come into play."

Kubica has a long history with Renault, being part of the manufacturer's driver development program in the early 2000s, before winning the inaugural Formula Renault 3.5 championship in 2005 and earning his first F1 test with the French marque.

He returned to the Renault fold as a race driver in 2010 following BMW's withdrawal from F1, and was set to continue racing for the team in its Lotus-Renault guise when he suffered serious injuries in a rally accident in February '11.

Since returning to the cockpit his main focus has been on the World and European Rally championships, and he also tested a Mercedes DTM car in 2013.

Originally on Autosport.com