F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Kubica out to prove his mettle in final test with Williams

It's judgment day for Robert Kubica who took to the Yas Marina track this morning for his ultimate test with Williams which will likely determine his fate for 2018.

The Grove-based outfit evaluated the Pole previously at Silverstone and in Hungary along with Paul di Resta where he both men tested a 2014-spec Williams, but Kubica is out today in the team's 2017 charger.

Tech boss Paddy Lowe and performance chief Rob Smedley are both trackside at Yas Marina to follow and assess Kubica's runs.

"We all saw how he operated in Formula 1 in the past – he's a great driver, very professional, very committed, enthusiastic, very intelligent," said Lowe.

"He's an exciting prospect, that's why we're looking at him.

"We're in a process with Robert, which is a matter of evaluating whether his injuries will have an impact on his ability to drive in Formula 1, it's as simple as that."

The team have undertaken a few modifications on the FW40 allocated to Kubica, like assigning one paddle on the steering wheel for shifting up and down, to take into account the limited ability of the driver's right hand.

©Williams

"There are a few changes we’ll make for switch gear and so on," explained Lowe

"In actual fact, most drivers tune that to their preferences anyway. In most teams, you’ll find the steering wheel is different between the two drivers."

Kubica will complete Tuesday's morning session and hand over driving duties to Lance Stroll for the afternoon. He will resume his test tomorrow afternoon after Russian Sergey Sirotkin completes his Wednesday test.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Through one lens: Twelve photographs from the 2025 F1 season

  Lewis Hamilton: Australian GP – Albert Park Lewis Hamilton’s very first Grand Prix weekend…

4 hours ago

Two Formula 1 racers born on Christmas day

One driver has a hugely famous name, the other is a special Grand Prix winner,…

7 hours ago

Red with purpose – It’s time for Ferrari to bring it home

As the Ferrari factory in Maranello glows in festive crimson, a sense of anticipation hums…

1 day ago

Norris reveals the quirky private moment his F1 title finally sunk in

Lando Norris had just done the hardest thing in motorsport – winning the Formula 1…

1 day ago

Howden Ganley, McLaren's third-ever employee

A veteran of 41 Grands Prix starts, Howden Ganley - seen here above hitting a…

1 day ago

Leclerc’s ‘naughty’ Christmas gift leaves Russell ‘lost for words’

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc may not have ended the season with a silver trophy in hand,…

1 day ago