Valencia track talk with Robert Kubica

From my point of view I think Valencia is quite an interesting track because it’s partly a street circuit and partly like a modern F1 circuit. I enjoy driving there, but I know that a lot of other drivers don’t think the same way.

It’s quite like Canada in terms of set-up because you need to concentrate on braking stability and traction – and because most corners are low speed, aerodynamics and downforce are not as crucial. However, you still need an efficient car because there are four places on the lap where you reach quite a high speed. The track is very smooth with a lot of run-off and I’d actually prefer it if there were less run-off areas and a few more bumps – then it would feel more like a proper street circuit

The first turn after the start is not really a corner: it’s a flat-out easy kink but then as you brake for turn two the track suddenly gets narrow towards the apex, so you have to make sure you get the right line into it. You can make up some time going into the corner and at the start there’s a good opportunity to gain one or two positions under braking.

Turns nine and ten are where you cross over the swing bridge. When we went to Valencia for the first time in 2008 there was quite a big gap between the racetrack and the bridge – it was a big bump. Initially there were some concerns about the gap damaging the tyres, but from a driving point of view you don’t really feel anything. There are a couple of long straights heading into tight corners, such as the hairpin at turn 17, which can lead to the possibility of overtaking. But actually if the driver in front of you doesn’t make a mistake, then it’s quite difficult. Also because it’s not a permanent circuit, only the racing line gets clean and because it’s so dirty off-line it’s very hard to make a successful pass to overtake.

My favourite section is the high-speed sequence towards the end of the lap where you brake as you’re turning into the final corner. You often get the front wheels locking and it’s quite tricky because you have some bottoming too.