A plan to test Robert Kubica in Suzuka last week was thwarted by the Stroll family, and may have impacted the Pole's chances of racing for Williams in 2018.
The Grove-based outfit has narrowed down its list of potential drivers for next season to just three names: Felipe Massa, Paul di Resta and Robert Kubica.
Williams is keen on evaluating the latter, who is attempting a sensational comeback drive after his 2011 rally crash, and planned on slotting Kubica into Lance Stroll's private testing program with a 2014-spec Williams.
According to Mark Hughes from Motorsport Magazine, the young Canadian tested the 2014 Williams twice recently at Suzuka, once before the Singapore Grand Prix and once after.
An opportunity to test Kubica and evaluate the driver in Japan did not get clearance however from Lance Stroll and his father Lawrence.
The billionaire fashion mogul financially supports the entirety of his son's testing program, and while he may not have a say on who races alongside Lance Stroll at Williams, he certainly can decide who can run on his son's time at the private tests.
Ultimately, the Strolls decided to ship the two cars at its disposal directly from Japan to Austin in order to gather mileage ahead of the US Grand Prix.
Williams is now pondering the idea of testing Kubica somewhere in Europe with its remaining 2014-spec car. The 32-year-old must provide the financial backing however to cover the costs of the test.
The complications linked with testing Kubica may play right into the hands of Paul di Resta.
The Scottish driver, who replaced Massa in Hungary this summer when the Brazilian fell ill, is a known quantity for Williams and a consistent and reliable runner with a wealth of experience.
He may just turn out to be exactly what Williams needs...
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