Robert Kubica to rally himself forward in European and World Rally

WARSAW, Poland // Former Formula One driver Robert Kubica plans to use his first season on the second-tier circuit of the European and World Rally championships to "learn, learn and learn".

The 28-year-old Polish driver is signed up to drive a Citroen for 11 events of the WRC2 category this year on his return to high-level racing after a career-threatening injury in 2011.

He begins with an event in the Canary Islands next week and will wrap the season with the Rally of Spain in October. Kubica said on Friday his task this year is to learn the car, the new team and his navigator, Maciej Baran.

He named the Portugal Rally as the most challenging, being on gravel, a surface he is not very familiar with.

The season will be a "very important event in my life, especially after the last two years," Kubica said.

Kubica had his right hand partially severed and fractured his elbow, shoulder and leg in a crash while racing in the Ronde di Andora rally two years ago. Friday, he still did not have full command of his right hand, but said he was continuing his rehabilitation.

Kubica said he would "give everything" to be able to return to the track and that there are "tiny lights in the tunnel suggesting that - not in a year or two - but I will be able to race in F1 at a good pace."

Kubica was to race for Lotus-Renault in F1 in 2011 but his injuries prevented that.

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