Robert Kubica to start from pits – if Williams can repair car in time

Robert Kubica will start the Japanese Grand Prix from the pit lane, if Williams can repair his damaged FW42 in time for the race start.

Kubica went off through the final corner as he began his first flying lap during Sunday morning’s rescheduled qualifying session at Suzuka.

Kubica hit the wall and sustained substantial damage to the front-left of the car.

Williams was able to retrieve the damaged car swiftly and begin work on its repair, but has cautioned that there is a lot to do before 14:10 local time.

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“We have parts but it is a chassis change so there is a huge amount of work,” confirmed Williams.

“It will be tight but they [the mechanics] are doing everything and we’re confident they can do it.”

As the chassis has been changed after qualifying Kubica must now start from the pits.

“A high price for a relatively small off,” said Kubica.

“I just accelerated opening the lap. Probably there were a few factors that contributed to this.

“I put a rear wheel slightly off the track, missed the space and it was over – I was on the grass and the wall came quite quickly.

“As I say, there were a few factors that contributed, I don’t want to go too much into the details, but the whole story started already before qualifying.”

Kevin Magnussen also hit the wall in qualifying and will start from the back of the grid, receiving an inconsequential five-place drop for a gearbox change