Now very much part of the F1 establishment with one victory to his credit, Robert Kubica joins Renault in 2010 with a point to prove after a largely disappointing final season with BMW Sauber.

He began his career in Karting before graduating the Italian Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup in 2001. A move to Formula 3 Euroseries in 2003 followed but it was not until title success in Word Series by Renault in 2005 that Kubica really made a name for himself - earning a test with Renault.

BMW Sauber signed him as test driver in 2006 and he made a successful grand prix debut in Hungary deputising for an injured Jacques Villeneuve who later left the team. Kubica went on to score a podium position in Italy, in his third race with the team. His first full season saw him finish sixth in the championship. However, he was fortunate to escape serious injury in Montreal in a huge accident that saw him sidelined for the US Grand Prix.

He raised his game in 2008 and completely out-shone team-mate Nick Heidfeld and secured BMW Sauber's first race victory in Canada. A championship contender, the team opted to focus its resources on 2009 - much to Kubica's frustration - losing ground and finishing the year fourth in the standings.

BMW Sauber had expected to challenge for the championship with Kubica in 2009, but the F1.09 challenger was not on the pace of the front-running teams. BMW then announced it was leaving the sport at the end of the season and put the Swiss-based team up for sale. Moving to Renault in 2010, he should be challenging for wins on a regular basis.

Strengths and Weaknesses
Motivation: When given a competitive car Kubica pushes right to the edge, but lacks motivation when the car is not top flight.

Career High
His first and so far only victory in Montreal in 2008 - all be it following a controversial pit lane accident which eliminated Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen. Being in the right place at the right time, he made best of the opportunity to record BMW Sauber's first grand prix victory.

Career Low
Again in Montreal, 2007 saw Kubica and Jarno Trulli clash, sending Kubica into the wall on the approach to the hairpin. It was a massive accident in which he was fortunate to escape unscathed.

Quotes
"I've never known it like this and it's difficult to know how damaging it's been, but this has been one of the worst years for politics in F1. All I want to do is to be able to focus 100% on what I love, which is driving, and that's not been possible."

"In my job I spend a lot of time with a lot of action, high speed and noise. By contrast, poker and bowling are quite steady."

Trivia
Outside of F1 Kubica's hobbies are snooker, poker and ten pin-bowling - his hero is snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Claire Furnell