Robert Kubica has carried out running in a Formula 1 car for the first time in over six years during a private test at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia.
Kubica, 32, completed 115 laps in the Lotus E20, the car used by the Renault team under its previous Lotus guise in the 2012 Formula 1 championship.
Kubica had not driven Formula 1 machinery since pre-season testing at the corresponding venue in February 2011, days before he suffered serious injuries in a rally crash in Italy.
Following a lengthy rehabilitation process, the Pole returned to competitive action in rallying, winning the WRC2 title in 2013, before stepping up to the World Rally Championship.
Kubica called time on his WRC career in early 2016 and returned to circuit racing, participating in sportscar events at Mugello, Spa-Francorchamps and Vallelunga.
Kubica, victor of the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix, was set to compete in the World Endurance Championship with ByKolles in 2017 but withdrew from his planned participation on the eve of the campaign.
Renault took to social media platforms to confirm that the test had taken place.
"So guys… we need to come clean about something… It's true. It really is Robert Kubica. Back in one of our cars after six years," Renault posted.
"So why did we keep it quiet? It was a private test, for Robert. But we can tell you this, Robert complained about grip, understeer, downforce and had the biggest smile on after his 115 laps!"
Kubica competed for Renault in 2010, finishing eighth in the standings with three podiums, having also been part of the manufacturer's young driver scheme prior to his Formula 1 graduation with BMW in 2006.
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