Formula 1: Why Robert Kubica has the drive to challenge Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Co

BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica has emerged this season as a genuine title threat to the big two of Ferrari, who have Kimi Raikkonen on board, and McLaren, with Britain's Lewis Hamilton.

His appearance as a top-level racer has been remarkable considering that he was a test driver in 2006 and made the step up midway through that season.

Kubica is a man who has spent his entire life driving four wheels. His pedigree is of a driver who loves racing. He began competing in the Polish Karting Championship at an early age, winning a collection of trophies and titles, until he moved to compete in the Italian Karting Championships.

In 1998 Kubica became the first man outside of Italy to win the title, and was a strong competitor in the European Karting Championships. The following year he was a constant figure in the German Karting season, as well as being the champion of the prestigious Monaco Kart Cup. He was a contender in the CIK FIA World Karting Championships, but played second fiddle to Danilo Rossi.