According to Motorsports, Robert Kubica is in discussion with Williams F1 team to bag a support role with the outfit for the 2018 racing season.
After multiple rounds of testing conducted by Williams, Sergey Sirotkin emerged as the leading contender. Significant financial investment also backs the Russian driver. The other drivers in the shortlist include Ex-Toro Rosso Daniil Kvyat, Williams Reserve driver Paul di Resta, Ex Sauber Pascal Wehrlein and Felipe Massa, who announced his retirement from F1 at the Brazilian GP.
Williams has been very particular that their choice will be purely based on performance. The team is expected to announce Lance Stroll’s new teammate by the end of January.
Kubica has been working hard to return to F1 and get a race seat. When it became clear that he was not getting the seat, Kubica changed tactic.
Kubica’s management is talking with Sauber to find him an alternative role for the 2018 campaign.
Williams is keen to build their 2018 from the ground up and has been searching for an experienced driver to help them in the process. But if the team chooses Sirotkin, their entire driver line-up will be composed of very young drivers.
Williams’ chief technical officer Paddy Lowe had spoken highly of Kubica’s feedback on the car during the testing phase.
Taking Kubica on a support role would work out well for the British team as they get to improve their car’s performance based on an experienced driver’s feedback and Kubica gets to stay close to F1 and potentially some time behind the wheels.
Would Kubica get the role? We will have to wait for at least two more weeks to find out.
