Alfa Romeo tester Robert Kubica will drive during opening practice at this weekend’s Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, replacing Kimi Raikkonen.
Kubica linked up with Alfa Romeo as its test and reserve driver for 2020 in the wake of leaving his role as a race driver for Williams.
Kubica drove Alfa Romeo’s C39 pre-season and also had outings in practice sessions for grands prix in Styria, Hungary and Britain.
He competed full-time in DTM this season, with the ART squad owned by Alfa Romeo team boss Frederic Vasseur, scoring a podium at Zolder.
“I am very pleased to be back in the driving seat for the first time since August,” said Kubica.
“It may sound like a long time, but my season has been really busy with my simulator work at the factory and my DTM programme, so it actually felt like it went quite quickly.
“Now that my DTM season is over, I am keen to get back into my Alfa Romeo role full time: there is still a lot to fight for and I am confident my work will make a positive contribution to the team’s efforts.”
Alfa Romeo currently holds eighth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
The team has already retained the services of Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi for 2021.
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