Kubica confirms he drove in Mercedes's Formula 1 simulator

Reports emerged last week that the Pole, who was in rally action in the European Rally Championship this weekend, has spent some time in the Brackley-based team's simulator.

Speaking to AUTOSPORT at this weekend's Rally Azores, Kubica confirmed that he had driven in the simulator but he did not want to comment much further on it.

"I can say yes, I was there," he said. "But I cannot say how many times or how many laps I did.

"But there is this rumour to which I say, yes, I was in the Mercedes F1 simulator in the past."

Kubica has a close relationship with new Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff, who helped arrange a DTM test for him in February.

That test resulted in Wolff saying that if Kubica ever wants to return to circuit racing, he would "love to work with him".

Kubica was coy on the subject of him returning to the Mercedes F1 simulator in the future, and he responded to reports that said he was spotted by a rival team member at Heathrow airport on his way to the Mercedes factory.

When asked if he will drive there again, Kubica said: "Maybe, I don't know.

"But it's not that every time someone sees me at Heathrow airport I am going to Mercedes.

"I am also at Heathrow for different reasons, it doesn't always have to be a connection with that."

Kubica recently revealed that he believes his injuries have recovered to the point where he would be able to drive a Formula 1 car on certain tracks already.