Feb.4 (GMM) Robert Kubica insists that Renault's new car is not just a newly liveried version of its uncompetitive predecessor.

The Pole this week kicked off his switch from BMW-Sauber in the wake of Renault's dismal 2009 campaign, the crashgate scandal, and the resultant loss of sponsors and the Genii Capital takeover.

Newly painted in yellow and black, the R30 was then derided for too closely resembling last year's car, even though 25-year-old Kubica's best lap was just a second off the dominant Ferraris.

"It just looks like the old car, but it's new," he is quoted as saying by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"Perhaps it is because we have a shorter car than our competitors. With full tanks, we are on the pace and I don't think much slower than Ferrari."

Kubica admitted that the new McLaren is the one that impressed him most this week.

"Clearly the McLaren," he answered. "In the area of the rear they have some very interesting aerodynamic solutions."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version