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Kubica takes to the tarmac

As the FIA World Rally Championship journeys to the first true asphalt event of the year, RK M-Sport World Rally Team fans will get a taste of what they have been anticipating all season - a sign of what Robert Kubica and the Ford Fiesta RS WRC are capable of on Tarmac.

Asphalt is undoubtedly the Pole's most preferred surface and following an inspired performance on the sealed-surface roads of Rallye Monte-Carlo - in which Robert secured two stage wins for the M-Sport squad - expectant fans are relishing the opportunity to see the Formula One race winner in action.

Of course Robert puts no expectations on his shoulders and remains focussed on his primary objective of gaining the experience that will prove vital to his future success. Experience is everything in rallying, and the Pole is determined to make the most of his first true asphalt test of the year.

Rallye Deutschland is arguably the most arduous of the championship's end-of-season events. Tight hairpins in the Mosel vineyards demand exceptional handling and precision whilst the broken asphalt and perilous concrete blocks - or Hinkelsteins - that line the Baumholder military ground pose an ever-present threat. Often referred to as three rallies in one, the route provides much variation in character - challenging crews to get up to speed amidst continuous changes of terrain. Those looking for the top results have to find the right balance between speed and survival and work in harmony with their safety crews who advise on changes to the conditions and grip from the pre-event reconnaissance.

The Pole will certainly feel more at home on the German asphalt and carries a wealth of experience forward from his 2013 encounter when an impressive drive saw him pilot his regional rally car to WRC 2 victory and fifth place overall.

The Pole was also in asphalt action in Italy last month - piloting an A-Style prepared Fiesta RS WRC to victory at Rally Internazionale del Casentino.

Robert Kubica said:

"Next on the list is the first proper Tarmac rally of the season. Of course in Monte-Carlo we had some mixed conditions with quite a lot of Tarmac, but Germany is more typical with very narrow and twisty asphalt roads. There are many hairpins and many low speed sections, but there are also a lot of short and fast corners which make it an extremely difficult and technical event.

"We've done some tests and the feeling on Tarmac is quite good. The weather was a bit unreliable, especially on day one in the vineyards, so it was quite difficult to do some consistent work on the set-up of the car. But a part from that everything went smoothly and I think that we are well prepared.

"Some people have high hopes when it comes to my result, but I think we have to be realistic. It will be a difficult rally. The characteristics of these roads with lots of hairpins and tight junctions are extremely difficult with my limitations. I had a few issues there in 2013 and this year it might be even trickier since some of the stages are reversed. From what I remember, that means that there will be lots of very tight uphill hairpins and it's always more difficult to turn the car into these types of hairpins than it is on the downhill sections.

"There will be at least six or seven drivers who can fight for the podium and that is why we need to be realistic. For sure the Volkswagens will be very strong at their home event and Citroen have won the previous 12 editions of Rally Germany. Those cars are driven by some very good drivers so we will just try to do our own rally and remember how tricky these stages can be. If the weather stays inconsistent and we get a lot of rain it will be an extremely difficult event."

M-Sport World Rally Team