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Kubica admits co-driver change will hurt him during Rally GB

Robert Kubica says his forced co-driver change will be his biggest obstacle on his debut at the World Rally Championship's top level on Rally GB

The WRC 2 champion has been drafted into Citroen's factory squad for 2013 season finale.

But Kubica's co-driver Maciek Barran's decision to retire from the sport and not make the step up to a DS3 WRC alongside Kubica has hit the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix winner hard.

"This is not a situation I would like to be in," said Kubica, who takes over Khalid Al-Qassimi's Abu Dhabi DS3 WRC this week.

"On one hand I look forward to this challenge and this opportunity, but the co-driver plays a big important role.

"I did a lot of rallies this year and I spent a lot of time this year preparing for the events and getting the pace notes right. And, practically in one day, I discover that all the work I did disappeared."

Italian Michele Ferrara will co-drive for Kubica this week, with the biggest change being that he will call the notes in Italian not Polish.

Kubica, who has spoken Italian since living there in his early racing years, has worked in Polish all season with Barran.

"It is more difficult for me now to change back to Italian than to learn from zero - everything is different... I am used to different sounds, everything," said Kubica.

Asked if he felt Barran's decision had spoiled Rally GB, Kubica said: "I think you use the right words to describe the situation.

"I was very keen to do GB. For me it was a nice moment and I was looking forward and I knew the challenge would be very difficult. After having to find a new co-driver has changed quite a lot my mind and mood."

Despite Barran's decision, Kubica said he had full confidence in Ferrara.

"I am pretty sure that with the level of Michele we will be able to do the rally without problems," he said. "And whatever the result, we will take big satisfaction.

"This is a big challenge, it's never easy for him to jump in with a new driver and new car - it's a special situation."

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