Robert Kubica has retained his Formula 1 links after being named as Williams’ reserve and development driver for the forthcoming campaign.
Kubica, whose Formula 1 career was truncated by a rally accident in 2011, began preparations for a comeback in 2017, firstly with Renault, before turning his focus to Williams, sampling its FW40 in Abu Dhabi last November.
However, Williams leaned towards Sergey Sirotkin, who tested alongside Kubica, for the vacant race seat alongside Lance Stroll, and have handed the Russian his debut.
Nonetheless, shortly after confirming Sirotkin as Stroll’s team-mate, Williams revealed that Kubica will act as its reserve driver through 2018.
Kubica will participate in pre-season and in-season testing, along with selected FP1 outings at Grands Prix, and reiterated that his goal is to secure a race seat in the future.
“I’m extremely happy to be joining the Williams team as its official Reserve and Development Driver this season,” he said.
“I feel in the best physical shape that I have ever been, but it has taken a lot of work to get to where I am now, so I’d like to thank Williams for the opportunities they have given me so far, and for putting their faith in me with this appointment.
“I have enjoyed being back in the Formula One paddock over these past few months, and I now look forward to working with the Williams technical team, both at the factory and at the track, to really help push forward the development of the FW41 and to make a real difference to their 2018 campaign.
“Having driven both the FW36 and the FW40, I’m looking forward to seeing how the FW41 measures up on track and working with the team to ensure we can maximise the performance of the car.
“My ultimate goal remains to race again in Formula One and this is another important step in that direction: I cannot wait to get started.”
