Kubica can help Williams move 'in the right direction' - Stroll

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Lance Stroll says Robert Kubica's reserve and support role with Williams will prove a valuable asset to the team in 2018.

The Grove-based outfit has chosen the youngest and least experienced driver line-up in its history, entrusting its cars to Stroll and rookie Sergey Sirotkin.

The 19-year-old Canadian believes Kubica's contribution will help Williams' development, thanks to the Pole's vast F1 experience and despite his absence from racing since 2011.

Kubica handed three FP1 outings in 2018

"It's great for us and great for the team," says Stroll.

"Robert has a tremendous amount of experience in Formula 1 and can really help us go in the right direction with correlation between the simulator and the car.

"Doing a couple of FP1s, I really believe it can help," he added.

"The fact that he's driven so many great F1 cars, he's competed with some really good teams, he can give us some good knowledge, it will definitely help us because it's going to be a very competitive year."

Kubica's involvement with Williams this year will obviously include simulator work but also three Friday free practice outings, which the Pole considers as important sessions.

"In current regulations F1 testing is very limited," Kubica said at last Thursday's launch of the team's 2018 FW41.

"The simulator plays a very important role. Because I’m part of this kind of project it is important for me to build up a relationship in reality and simulator in order to use this tool as best as we can in the future."

©WRI2

On the eve of his second season of Grand Prix racing, Lance Stroll is looking forward to putting the knowledge he gained last year to good use.

"Ahead of every new season there is a lot of anticipation and unanswered questions and this makes it even more exciting," says the teenager.

"With a season under my belt with the team, I can't wait to get back on track and see what the new car is like.

"Until we are on track we will not know what the competition has been doing, but I am very excited and optimistic about the car the team has built.

"Last year was a steep learning curve for me and now I can't wait to see what 2018 has in store."

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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.