Monday 16 June at 14:36 : Robert Kubica has revealed that he is no longer as close to formula one rival Lewis Hamilton as he once was.

23-year-old Kubica, who snatched the lead of the drivers' championship from the similarly aged Hamilton in Canada a week ago, has known his new title challenger since their karting days.

But although they are often cited as contemporaries and friends, Kubica played down their closeness in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa.

"We have had similar careers and there is mutual respect," Kubica said.

"But I have the impression that we embarked on our adventure in F1 with a different mindset and this has made us lose a bit of contact.

"And he doesn't know how to play poker," Kubica joked.

The poker reference is significant; Kubica's closest F1 ally is Fernando Alonso, with whom he often whiles away downtime during GP weekends.

Alonso, of course, fell out spectacularly with Hamilton and McLaren team chiefs in 2007.

Some commentators have also contrasted Kubica's "basic needs" out of life with Hamilton's growing extravagance.

While Hamilton's recent exploits involved attending movie premieres, holidaying with pop stars and attending the MTV music awards, former grand prix driver Martin Brundle observes that Kubica only wants "a roof over his head, food and a fast racing car".

Kubica even brushed off La Stampa's invitation to describe his burgeoning talents at the wheel of a F1 racer.

"Rather than talents, to me it is more important to focus on your weaknesses and try to improve them," he insisted.