Kubica to leave Williams at the end of 2019 season

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ROKiT Williams Racing has revealed that Robert Kubica will leave the British team at the end of the current 2019 season.

After spending eight years out of Grand Prix racing as a result of a horrendous rally crash in 2011 and which left Kubica with a physically impaired right arm, the Polish driver made a miraculous return to F1 this year.

However, Kubica's performances have been hampered by the weakness of Williams FW42, but the 34-year-old also suffered at the hands of talented teammate George Russell.

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"I would like to thank the team for the last two years and for helping make my comeback to the Formula One grid possible," Kubica said ahead of this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.

"I have enjoyed my time with ROKiT Williams Racing, both as Reserve & Development Driver and as a Race Driver this year, but I feel that the time is now right for me to move on to the next chapter in my career."

Audi motorsport boss Dieter Gass recently revealed that the German manufacturer had held informal talks with Kubica's management about a possible foray into the DTM series in 2020.

On Williams' side, reserve driver and F2 racer Nicholas Latifi is regularly cited as Kubica's most likely replacement, although Nico Hulkenberg's availability for 2020 may be of interest to the Grove-based outfit.

"I would like to thank Robert for his hard work and respect his decision to leave the team at the end of the 2019 season," said Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams.

"Robert has been an important member of the team in both his role as Reserve & Development Driver, and subsequently as one of our Race Drivers in 2019.

"We thank him for his continued efforts throughout what has been a challenging couple of seasons and wish him well in his future endeavours."

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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.