Robert Kubica says if Williams are any more competitive in the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend it will only be because the track and conditions are different to previous races.

Williams lagged well over a second per lap off the rest of the field in the first two races of the year. Kubica said the variations from track to track, rather than any developments on his car, will make the difference this weekend.

“The first three tracks are very different from each other,” he said ahead of this weekend’s race in Shanghai. “Australia because it’s not a permanent track, Bahrain because of the rear limitations and stress in to the rear tyres.

“Here is a bit I would have to say probably more like Australia. But on the other hand you have very long straight line which is more complicated on the downforce side and drag position, and temperatures. Definitely looks like it will be cold so it’s something which we have to see how our car will hope.

“But I will be surprised if we can expect something massively different. Hopefully it will be something different but if it will be better it will only be because of the conditions and track not because of other stuff.

“Let’s wait and see but again the target ad the goal will be always the same, to try to do the best from what you have.”

Kubica said the car he drove in the Bahrain Grand Prix was “exactly the same at is was in Australia”. He damaged his car’s floor at the first race weekend and had to used a repaired floor in Bahrain due to the team’s shortage of parts. Kubica added he does not know if the team will have fresh parts this weekend.

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2019 F1 season