F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Williams' Lowe gives Kubica a clean bill of health

Robert Kubica is inching closer to a sensational comeback after Williams said it had no concerns over the Pole's physical ability to race in Formula 1.

Kubica's ultimate evaluation, which concludes today in Abu Dhabi, has so far been very satisfactory according to Williams tech boss and team partner Paddy Lowe, who says "there are no issues" around the driver's fitness.

"Robert did a great job, we were very happy - absolutely with the number of laps and with the running altogether," Lowe said about yesterday's session.

"[His feedback is] very good. He is a driver of tremendous experience and very knowledgeable around his work.

"His job is a professional racing driver so he has that confidence and you can feel it in the garage so everybody’s happy with Robert."

Lowe gave no hint about William's ultimate decision regarding its 2018 driver line-up but all signs appear to indicate that Kubica's chances are as strong as ever.

The team has been particularly impressed with the 32-year-old's determination to return to F1 after a seven-year hiatus caused by an injury sustained in his 2011 rally crash.

"Robert is a driver that we’ve all admired when he drove in Formula 1 and even since then," he said.

"It’s a great example of his character and that he considered coming back from this accident that he had and fighting away, just seeking if he could come back into Formula 1."

"We’ll keep working," Lowe concluded.

"We’re concentrating on the testing and then we’ll regroup afterwards to make our decision for next year in terms of racing."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Leclerc urges Ferrari to learn from Red Bull's strategy success

Charles Leclerc has urged Ferrari to take a closer look at Red Bull’s race-day execution…

45 minutes ago

Singapore setback: Russell set for grid penalty at Marina Bay

George Russell’s championship ambitions have been dealt another following the Mercedes driver’s devastating, late-race power…

17 hours ago

Sainz insists its time for F1 to ‘take a hard look at itself’

Carlos Sainz believes it is time for Formula 1 to take a hard look at…

18 hours ago

Stella admits to Sepang strategy blunder: ‘A single miscalculation’

For McLaren team boss Andrea Stella, last weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix was a harsh reminder…

20 hours ago

Antonelli reveals what racing Verstappen taught him at Sepang

F1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli walked away from last weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia…

22 hours ago

Mansell's finally breaks his duck after 72-race run

It was a long time coming - 72 races to be exact - but on…

22 hours ago