Di Resta and Kubica to face-off for 2018 Williams seat
- Published on 03 Oct 2017 13:13
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Williams has set set-up a two-day test in which it will evaluate Paul di Resta and Robert Kubica, with the lingering possibility that one will take up a race seat next season. Di Resta has raced for Williams this year, stepping in for an unwell Felipe Massa at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Scotsman made his debut in Formula 1 at the 2011 Australian Grand Prix for Force India. He spent three years racing for the Silverstone-based team, before returning to DTM in 2014, a championship that he had already claimed a title in (2010). In 2016, he joined Williams as a reserve driver.
Kubica has been eyeing an F1 return for years after his life-threatening rally crash in 2011. The Pole had part of his forearm amputated, which cast huge doubt over a return to motorsport's pinnacle. The 32-year-old has done extensive testing with Renault this year, but an opportunity to race for the French squad closed up when it announced Carlos Sainz for 2018.
Williams is looking for an experienced driver to continue to partner Lance Stroll next year, with current driver Felipe Massa already in the hunt. Williams will host a single day test for Kubica at Silverstone in its 2014 car, before travelling to the Hungaroring for a two-day test, with Kubica and di Resta handed one day each.
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (17)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Going to be interesting.. I'd like to see both of them back...
Savio
Posts: 145
Where is ORCHIDE? The biggest fan of Marcus "I crashed" Ericsson?
Orchide
Posts: 82
Are you as stupid as your comments?
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
I hope Kubica gets it.
f1dave
Posts: 782
I hope di Resta gets it.
Savio
Posts: 145
I hope Lance "talentfree" Stroll will be driving taxi in next year : )
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Massa needs to GO. Kubica would be by far the better choice as long as he is totally fit. He would be so popular on the grid. Williams would have a lot of attention. Sponsors would be delighted with that. Finally, more importantly, Kubica possessed (maybe still does) enough talent to fight for world champions. Di Resta on the other hand never showed very much while in Formula 1. He was a DTM prodigy, but not in Formula 1.
Savio
Posts: 145
Kubica is different than other drivers. First of all he has analytical mind and high personal culture in contrast other, especially young drivers.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
Ideally I'd like to see Stroll and Massa both replaced, with Di Resta and Kubica.
However, that won't happen for millions of (euro) reasons.
Di Resta never struck me as anything special, a very solid driver, but not future world champion. With Kubica it seemed like it was only a matter of time before he'd become world champion before his accident. And while he'll probably never be world champion, I'd still like to see him return and give it a shot.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
you mean "millions of Canadian dollars" ?
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Kubica brings in more than racecraft.
Freguz
Posts: 160
I like Kubica but...
If you can race in F1 with just one arm, then I am not sure about F1 at all, I think DiResta will beat him...
juju_hound
Posts: 180
Haha you mean he is driving one hand and the second he is... smoking a cigarette while driving?
He is driving both hands dude
KyalamiKid
Posts: 146
@juju_hound Sure, 2 hands on the wheel, but he'll only be using his left to change gears. But aside from the limited use of his right arm... if Williams want an experienced driver next to Stroll, why not keep Massa.
denis1304
Posts: 284
I hope Bottas gets it!
juju_hound
Posts: 180
I think Martini has a lot to say here. Kubica is popular in Poland and Italy while Di Resta in UK. The point is which countries are more important to Martini business.
Savio
Posts: 145
Honestly, Kubica is more popular in UK than Di Resta..