World Rally champions Sebastien Ogier and Sebastien Loeb have praised Robert Kubica's speed on last week's Monte Carlo Rally.
The Polish ex-Formula 1 driver posted the second highest number of fastest times in the French Alps and stunned the WRC fraternity with his ability to come to terms with Pirelli tyres after just two days of testing.
Kubica's rally was spoiled when he went off the road on the first stage and a subsequent electrical fault forced him out on the road section back to Gap.
But after rejoining he took a string of stage wins, including topping the rally's longest stage by 33 seconds.
Ogier said: "He did a good job, he was fast in a lot of the stages and showed he is capable of the fight.
"But we all know that about Robert, he is really one of the best drivers around."
Loeb and Ogier showed the rivalry the WRC has missed
Loeb noted that Kubica was directly comparable to Ogier as they were running in similar road positions under this year's regulations, when Rally2 returnees start just before the championship leaders.
"Robert was good - I was impressed with him," said Loeb.
"He was close to Seb [Ogier] on the road and set some really good times from this position."Kubica admitted his pace had taken him by surprise.
"If somebody had told me two or three weeks ago that I would be able to go so fast on the Monte Carlo Rally then I wouldn't have believed it," he said.
BRAKE DRAMA ENDED RALLY
His rally ended when a brake problem caused him to crash into a wall after the finish of the penultimate stage.
"That was very strange," he said.
"We had changed pads and discs at the service and, OK, there was some smoke in the first stage, but you expect this from the material.
"But then after we did the long downhill section of the stage, the pedal went to the floor.
"We had no warning , no [pad] knock-off, long pedal or anything like that.
"In the end, I could only take the handbrake to try to slow us down."