Lewis Hamilton is rooting for Robert Kubica to make a full-time return to Formula 1 in 2017, describing the Polish driver as a "natural talent".
Kubica last raced in the sport in 2010 after he was involved in an off-season rally crash which caused severe damage to his arm. Although he has competed in rallying since, he wishes for an F1 comeback.
Renault have handed the 32-year-old two tests in an old F1 car already and he proved capable and quick. Next week Kubica will get his first taste of Renault's 2017 car, the R.S.17, which he will drive during the Hungary in-season test.
Hamilton says he will be keeping an eye on the test to see "whether or not he's going to be racing" in 2018.
"I'm really happy that he's doing the test, and I'll have a keen eye on how he's doing," said Hamilton.
"I think it will be great if he's able to [return], if he can, physically. [He has] raw, natural talent, which I think as a sport it's a shame we don't have here with us."
Hamilton says Kubica is one of the truly great drivers, a special driver, that the sport has only a few of: "Robert's one of the quickest drivers I've ever raced against.
"If he was still racing today he'd been in contention for a world title, if he'd not won one [already].
"Not a lot of great, great drivers come through. You have some that are much better than the rest, but still not the greatest, and then you have real special drivers like him."
