Ex-F2 driver Nissany to join Williams for F1 Abu Dhabi test

Former Formula 2 driver Roy Nissany is to make a surprise appearance for the Williams Formula 1 team in next week's Pirelli tyre test at Abu Dhabi

The Israeli - who turns 25 on Saturday - will drive the FW42 on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, with George Russell starting the session and 2020 Williams race driver Nicholas Latifi completing it.

Nissany finished fourth overall in the Formula V8 3.5 series in 2016, before placing fifth in 2017, winning four races across his three seasons in the category.

He drove for Campos in F2 in 2018, partnering Luca Ghiotto - who has also previously tested for Williams - and scored just a single point when he finished 10th at Spa.

He did not complete the season, as he was replaced by former Manor F1 driver Roberto Merhi for the final two rounds.

Nissany has not competed in 2019, having been unable to secure an extension to his F2 tenure.

Nissany has previous experience of F1 machinery, having tested a two-year-old Sauber C31 at Valencia in 2014.

"It is great experience to build my on-track experience in a current F1 car, and I hope that I can impress the team whilst doing so," he said of the Williams chance.

Nissany's father Chanoch tested for Jordan and Minardi in 2004 and '05, and took part in Friday practice for the latter team during the '05 Hungarian Grand Prix.