Williams Formula 1 team denies it has completed Robert Kubica deal
The Williams Formula 1 team has denied it has already completed a deal with Robert Kubica for 2018 and ruled out an announcement during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Kubica tested Williams's 2014 F1 car twice last month as the team assessed him as a potential replacement for Felipe Massa and he will drive the team's current design in the post-Abu Dhabi Pirelli tyre test.
Amid increasing speculation that Kubica had secured the second Williams seat, the team has insisted nothing is decided.
"Although conversations are ongoing with Kubica, it is still yet to be finally decided who will replace Massa," said a Williams statement.
"We will make an announcement when we have something to announce but nothing is planned this weekend in Abu Dhabi."
Kubica moved into Williams contention in September having previously tested with Renault before it picked Carlos Sainz Jr instead.
Last year's F1 world champion Nico Rosberg has taken on a management role with Kubica to support his efforts to get back on the grand prix grid after the 2011 rallying crash that left him with severe arm injuries.
Kubica initially returned to motorsport in rallying before embarking on a programme of sportscar races and single-seater tests to assess whether he would be capable of an F1 comeback.
Williams's reserve driver Paul di Resta, Sauber's Pascal Wehrlein and former Toro Rosso racer Daniil Kvyat are also in contention for the seat, but Kubica is now understood to be the number one choice.
Massa had also been an option, before deciding to retire from F1 when it became clear Williams could not guarantee him a 2018 seat.
Hamilton accepts blame for incident with Albon in F1 Brazilian GP
Hamilton accepts blame for incident with Albon in F1 Brazilian GP Hamilton accepts blame for incident with Albon in F1 Brazilian GP
Ferrari drivers called to F1 stewards over Brazilian GP collision
Ferrari drivers called to F1 stewards over Brazilian GP collision Ferrari drivers called to F1 stewards over Brazilian GP collision
Will Alonso's Indy failure end the age of versatility?
Will Alonso's Indy failure end the age of versatility? Will Alonso's Indy failure end the age of versatility?
Kubica's "crucial" Fuji stint puts WRT on cusp of WEC LMP2 title
Kubica's "crucial" Fuji stint puts WRT on cusp of WEC LMP2 title Kubica's "crucial" Fuji stint puts WRT on cusp of WEC LMP2 title
Kubica targets WEC Hypercar seat in 2024 after LMP2 class axed
Kubica targets WEC Hypercar seat in 2024 after LMP2 class axed Kubica targets WEC Hypercar seat in 2024 after LMP2 class axed
How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge
How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge
Albon: AlphaTauri's current F1 form “worrying” for Williams
Albon: AlphaTauri's current F1 form “worrying” for Williams Albon: AlphaTauri's current F1 form “worrying” for Williams
Williams: We want Sargeant in F1 car next year
Williams: We want Sargeant in F1 car next year Williams: We want Sargeant in F1 car next year
How Monza shows Albon's transformation to fearsome F1 battler
How Monza shows Albon's transformation to fearsome F1 battler How Monza shows Albon's transformation to fearsome F1 battler
Arrow McLaren refreshes organisation with title changes to leadership
Arrow McLaren refreshes organisation with title changes to leadership Arrow McLaren refreshes organisation with title changes to leadership
How Tanak and M-Sport nailed Chile tactics to end their WRC barren spell
How Tanak and M-Sport nailed Chile tactics to end their WRC barren spell How Tanak and M-Sport nailed Chile tactics to end their WRC barren spell
FIA approves Andretti entry as 11th F1 team from 2025-26
FIA approves Andretti entry as 11th F1 team from 2025-26 FIA approves Andretti entry as 11th F1 team from 2025-26
WRC Chile win “can only help” M-Sport’s future
WRC Chile win “can only help” M-Sport’s future WRC Chile win “can only help” M-Sport’s future
The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team
The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team
Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers
Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
How football has posed difficult questions for F1
How football has posed difficult questions for F1 How football has posed difficult questions for F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1 The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.