Brazil is physically very tiring - Kubica

The 2008 Formula One season draws to a close in just a few days. BMW Sauber F1 Team driver Robert Kubica gives his appraisal of the Brazilian Grand Prix, and hopes to defend his third place in the Drivers' World Championship.

"Brazil is traditionally the final race of the season, and Interlagos is a very demanding and interesting circuit," says Robert Kubica. "My first race there was in 2002 in Formula Renault, and I've been back with the BMW Sauber F1 Team for the last two years."

Several features of the 4.309km "Autodromo José Carlos Pace" stand out: the long, uphill finishing straight, the high altitude that slightly reduces the engine's performance, and the unusual direction in which the drivers race. Robert finds the latter the greater challenge: "Interlagos is physically very tiring because we drive the circuit anticlockwise," says the Pole. "That's something we're not used to, and we feel it especially in the neck."

Although Robert's title aspirations are over for this year, there is still a lot to race for in the Drivers' Championship at the final race of the year: no less than reigning World Champion Kimi Raikkonen is lurking in fourth place. Robert's goal for the season finale is to hang on to his current position. "I'm currently in third in the drivers' standings, six points ahead of Kimi. Of course, it's my aim to defend this position," says the winner of the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix.