Williams has confirmed Robert Kubica will leave the team at the end of the 2019 Formula 1 season
Robert Kubica will leave Williams at the end of the 2019 season Photo: Motorsport Images
Robert Kubica will leave Williams at the end of this season, a year after he announced his F1 comeback following a near-fatal rally accident.
The 34-year-old said that it was time “to move on to the next chapter in my career” after a challenging season at the back of the grid, in the least competitive car.
It’s likely to mark the end of Kubica’s second stint in Formula 1, which was remarkable in itself, eight years after the Pole’s serious crash, in which his right arm was almost severed.
George Russell has a contract with Williams for next year, but the team has not yet announced who will take Kubica’s place.
Kubica initially fulfilled the role of reserve & development driver for the team during the 2018 season before being called up to a race seat in 2019.
The Polish driver said he had enjoyed his time at the team but was looking forward to beginning the next chapter of his career.
“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.
“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.”
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Kubica has scored the only point Williams has registered this season with a 10th place at the German Grand Prix.
Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams said Kubica had played an important role in the team’s development process throughout 2019.
“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.
“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.”
Williams is yet to announce who will replace Kubica, however, Formula 2 driver and Williams’ current reserve driver, Nicholas Latifi, is in the frame for a call-up.
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