Kubica sponsor wants to stay in F1 (2nd Update)

After losing sponsor Rich Energy, Gunther Steiner salivating over Kubica's check

UPDATE (GMM) Gunther Steiner was in Warsaw this week, according to Polish public television TVP.

The report said the Haas boss was in the city to meet with a representative of Robert Kubica's main sponsor PKN Orlen, a Polish oil company.

Kubica is leaving Williams at the end of the season, and Orlen is tipped to switch its allegiance to Haas.

A role as Haas' test and reserve driver for Kubica may be part of that deal, although he is also keen to keep racing.

"A lot depends on the possibilities and what I will be doing as a basic thing next year," he said at Suzuka.

"Once it is clear what I will do mainly, what sporting program I have, I will see if it can be combined with something or not."

Adam Burak, who is Orlen's communications boss, confirmed that talks with "several Formula 1 teams" are still taking place.

Referring to Kubica, he said: "There is not a day when we do not see each other, talk with each other on the phone or correspond with representatives of several Formula 1 teams."

Kubica sponsor wants to stay but so far no team wants Kubica

10/09/19 (GMM) Robert Kubica's sponsor says it is staying in Formula 1 in 2020.

Kubica, who has struggled on his return to the grid this year, has already announced that he is leaving Williams at the end of the season.

But his sponsor, Polish oil company PKN Orlen, says it is staying in F1.

"You don't enter Formula 1 for a year," Orlen president Daniel Obajtek told the Polish business daily Puls Biznesu.

"It's brand building," he added. "We are in talks with several partners.

"Orlen will remain in Formula 1 and Orlen will be associated with Robert Kubica."

It has already been reported that Orlen's talks are with Haas and Racing Point, and it is believed McLaren is another team negotiating with the Polish company.

Obajtek was asked if having Kubica on the grid is central to Orlen's F1 plans.

"We can see that our involvement in Formula 1 has been very successful," he answered.

"Did I say that he (Kubica) will not race? I said that we are talking, that Orlen will be in Formula 1, and that Orlen will be with Robert Kubica."

Obajtek would not confirm which teams Orlen is negotiating with.

"We're talking," he insisted. "Very intense, very specific. Together with Robert, we are prepared for various solutions.

"We will provide full information soon. You will be satisfied. It will be clear within a month and half, maybe two months."

09/20/19 (GMM) Robert Kubica's sponsor says it wants to remain in Formula 1.

Williams announced on Thursday that the Polish driver, who has struggled this year on his return to the grid, will not stay at the team in 2020.

Kubica's seat this year is strongly backed by PKN Orlen, the Polish oil company.

The company told us it intends to stay in F1 in 2020.

"Together with Robert, we are considering various scenarios for next season," said CEO Daniel Obajtek.

We reported this week that a Racing Point representative recently met with Orlen executives.

Obajtek said: "Our intention is to remain in Formula 1. PKN Orlen is now in advanced talks with some other teams."

One early theory is that Kubica could become a Racing Point reserve driver, and at the same time switch to the German touring car series DTM to race.

"At the moment I can't comment on that," Kubica said in Singapore.

As for becoming a F1 reserve, he added: "I don't want to go too much into the details but I will evaluate different opportunities.

"But I will be very surprised if I was doing only simulator. I will be very surprised if I will not be racing next year."