Robert Kubica admits he was “surprised” by George Russell’s recent comments about receiving online abuse from Polish F1 fans, saying he personally witnessed the support Russell received from his compatriots.
Russell was promoted to F1 this season after winning the F2 championship in 2018, gaining a seat with Williams alongside the returning Kubica, who made his comeback after eight years away from the sport after a career-threatening rally car crash.
Even though the Pole has one more point than his rookie team-mate, Russell has regularly outperformed him, which has allegedly catalysed some online “hate” directed towards him from Kubica’s partisan fans.
However, the 34-year-old is confused by Russell’s revelation, especially since the two were due to appear together at an event in Poland before Russell pulled out with a supposed virus.
“I don’t know if he is making a mistake, but I just saw the article and I was a bit surprised that he said it before an event like this,” he told Super Express.
“I was personally on stage when Polish fans chanted his name, just as they chant mine.