Kubica stunned by BMW withdrawal

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The impending exit has left the future of the team's drivers and hundreds of employees at bases in Hinwil and Munich up in the air, and Kubica, who claimed BMW's maiden victory in Canada last year, admitted the news had come out of the blue.

"It was a shock decision, an unexpected one," said Kubica, who revealed he read about the withdrawal online before having it confirmed to him by the team. "I was never expecting such a big decision."

It is hoped a rescue bid will see the existing operation taken over - as was the case when Honda's withdrawal over the winter gave way to Brawn GP - but a deal to safeguard jobs remains a some way off.

"Everybody's still a bit worried about their future," Kubica continued. "I hope they will find a good way out of it and we will continue.

"We have a lot of good people and they deserve a better situation than we have now."

After challenging for podiums and victories over the past two seasons, 2009 has been a nightmare year for BMW, with just a total of eight points won after 10 rounds.

It is all a far cry from a year ago when Kubica emerged as an outsider for the drivers' title, and the Pole believes the decision might not have been taken had the team still been at the sharp end of the grid.

"I think it would have been a completely different situation," he admitted.

"I assume if we were first in the championship, or second, fighting for wins, we would not have this kind of problem."