Williams is apparently considering Robert Kubica, among other drivers, as a candidate for a seat at the Grove-based outfit in 2018.

The team is taking its time to decide who will partner Lance Stroll next season, and while Felipe Massa remains at the top of its short list, Kubica is rumored to also be a front-runner for 2018.

The Pole now has the backing of Nico Rosberg's management company to try and secure a sensational comeback drive in Formula 1.

Alas, Carlos Sainz's move to Renault has crushed Kubica's hopes of returning to the French outfit for which he tested this summer.

As Lance Stroll continues his private testing program between Grands Prix, having run at Suzuka between Monza and Singapore in a 2014-spec car, Williams could field Kubica alongside Stroll at the teenager's next private test which would likely take place at Interlagos.

Furthermore, reports emerged in Singapore this week claiming that the 32-year-old had actually spent time in Williams' simulator recently.

It's unsure however what Williams could accomplish or learn by running Kubica in a 2014-spec car as the Pole has already demonstrated his ability to drive a current spec car in anger when he tested for Renault in Hungary in early August.

Other candidates rumored to be under consideration for a Williams drive next season - should Massa not remain at Grove - are Paul di Resta who replaced the Brazilian in Hungary, Jolyon Palmer, and Marcus Ericsson who may not be retained by Sauber for 2018 if the Swiss team complies with Ferrari's will to see both Antonio Giovinazzi and Charles Leclerc join the Hinwil-base outfit.

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Michael Delaney

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