Kubica rules himself out of title race

Robert Kubica has ruled himself out of the Formula One title hunt for this season.

The BMW Sauber driver trails championship leader Lewis Hamilton by just six points after his second-placed finish in the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday behind the Briton.

Since retiring in the season-opener in Australia, the Pole has not finished outside the top four in the five subsequent races.

Despite that, Kubica does not see himself as a title contender, conceding: "I don't think so, but of course anything can happen in Formula One."

"In the last two or three races we were not as competitive as we were at the beginning of the season, when we were in between the Ferraris and the McLarens."

"Recently, it has been more difficult for us to be up there, so I expect Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton to fight for the championship."

"But if I see an opportunity, of course, I shall do my best."

The next race on the calendar in 10 days' time is the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, scene of the 23-year-old's horror shunt last year.

Kubica insists there will be no lingering mental aftermath when he returns to the track next week.

"I don't have to cope with anything," asserted Kubica.

"Of course everybody knows what happened in 2007, but I don't have to cope because it's already a year ago."

"Since then I have been driving a Formula One car without thinking about it."

"In Formula One and motorsport the risks are high, but I don't have any negative feelings about Canada."

"I am just going there, as I go to any other race, with the goal to score as many points as possible."