Robert Kubica says his role as Williams’ development driver has given him an opportunity to learn and understand more about Formula 1 from a different perspective.
Kubica raced in Formula 1 between 2006 and 2010 but was unable to compete in the aftermath of a serious rally crash, having sustained severe arm injuries.
Kubica began chasing a full-time comeback last year and sampled historic and contemporary machinery with both Renault and Williams, but missed out on a 2018 race seat to Sergey Sirotkin.
Instead, Kubica has taken up a development position at Williams, and sampled the FW41 during pre-season testing, ahead of planned FP1 outings later in the year.
“It’s a good feeling for me, if you think where I was 12 months ago things have changed quite a lot,” Kubica explained.
“Actually I am enjoying my position; it’s giving me quite a lot of challenges and also opportunities to see the team working, to see different points of view of many things.
“When you are a race driver you see things in race driver mode.
“The engineers, technicians, mechanics, all the team is working, but when you are a race driver you don’t get so deep as I have the opportunity to get in this situation.
“This role… I think it’s a good opportunity and I am enjoying it, it’s also good fun, I think it will be interesting.”
Kubica added that he will be “more prepared” for a race seat, should one arise, thanks to his current role, and is eager to see how the FW41 will develop through the year.
“I’m trying to find weaker points on the car and give suggestions and give ideas to improve the car,” he said.
“So it’s not just about pure speed or pace, but still it’s a good opportunity to learn new things and to be in the car, though the regulations are quite restrictive.
“But still, I will have the chance to drive and it gives me the opportunity to drive the car while we’re developing the car, so I can understand the development rate and the route we are going, so it will be important.”
