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Cruel misfortune for Kubica

Cruel misfortune brought Robert Kubica's Rallye Deutschland to an undeserving end today. The Pole had climbed into a points-paying position and had been driving well until a transmission issue forced him to retire on the liaison to SS15.

Recovering from an off on the opening day, the RK M-Sport World Rally Team driver took advantage of his favourable road position to secure two stage wins for the M-Sport squad. With an ever-increasing knowledge of his Ford Fiesta RS WRC, the Formula One race winner was happy with his driving and looking forward to making further gains today.

Unfortunately it was not to be as his Fiesta became stuck in third gear on the liaison to the first stage. Despite Robert's best efforts - in continuous conversation with the M-Sport engineers - the issue proved terminal and the Pole was forced to retire from the event.

Robert Kubica (DNF) said:

"Rally Germany ended too soon for us. Just before the first stage the car stopped and I suspect it was a gearbox problem as we were stuck in third gear. It's a pity, but that's how motorsport is sometimes - sometimes you make a mistake, and sometimes the car breaks down.

"Up until that point it was going quite well - except for our little off on the first day. I was especially happy with my second pass of Panzerplatte [SS14], a very specialist stage that is different to any other. Even though the times were not excellent, I was happy with my driving in there. And of course it was nice to take two stage wins away from this weekend."