Lowe discards giving Kubica more track time to help with FW41

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Williams' Paddy Lowe dismissed the idea of giving Robert Kubica more Friday practice outings to help the beleaguered team improve the performance of its problematic FW41.

The Grove-based outfit has struggled since putting its FW41 on the grid in Melbourne, its drivers lingering painfully at the back of the field, whether in qualifying or on Sundays

The team's engineers are at a loss to explain the fundamental problem affecting the outfit's FW41, but deputy team principal Claire Williams has hinted at three potentially problematic issues, although she declined to elaborate.

Stroll making the most of 'slowest car' in the field

"We don't really like airing our dirty linen in public at Williams," she said.

Paddock insiders have suggested that the inexperience of Williams' drivers is likely to be one of the team's problems, with 19-year-old Lance Stroll paired this year with Russian rookie Sergey Sirotkin.

"Having two young drivers doesn't make the task easier when the car doesn't work," Lowe admitted.

Asked if slotting in reserve driver Robert Kubica on Friday morning's could help fast-track the FW41's development in the right direction, Lowe rejected the idea.

"Then we would be taking away important track time for Sergey. But he needs every kilometre," he said.

Lowe said the important thing now is for Williams to regroup and work diligently towards solving its case.

"It would be wrong to become depressed," he insisted. "Only if we work purposefully can we reverse the trend."

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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.