Williams eager to get Kubica's feedback in free practice

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Robert Kubica will get his first free practice outing of the year with Williams in Barcelona and the team is eager to get the Pole's feedback on its upgraded FW41.

Like its rivals, the Grove-based outfit will field an updated car at the Circuit de Catalunya for Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin.

The Spanish Grand Prix weekend follows the Canadian's points-scoring race in Baku, a positive achievement which contrasted with the team's disappointing results in the first three races of 2018.

"They say that the car that is quickest around Barcelona is generally going to be quickest at most races in the season," said Williams tech chief Paddy Lowe in the team's preview.

"It is the first race where traditionally you see many more upgrades arriving, as we are back to our truck-based logistics rather than airfreight which has seen us through the first four events.

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"We are bringing a reasonably significant upgrade to this race, but probably not different to most other teams."

The opportunity to run Kubica in FP1 will also provide Williams with a valuable third opinion on its FW41, and one Lowe is looking forward to hearing.

"It’s going to be a busy weekend for us. We have Robert Kubica taking part in FP1 in place of Sergey; his first of three FP1 appearances this season," adds Lowe.

"We have a busy Friday programme and it will be interesting to get Robert’s feedback on the car. Sergey has driven many laps on this track in pre-season testing so he won’t miss out too much."

All ten F1 teams will remain in Barcelona after Sunday's race to take part in the first in-season test of 2018. Kubica will get more mileage during the two-day schedule that he will share with British hopeful Oliver Rowland.

"We also have two days of testing following the race with our Official Young Driver Oliver Rowland, and Robert," confirms Lowe.

"And we have a huge programme to fit into those two days to make progress with the development of the car."

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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.