Kubica Won’t Wait Long for Williams’ 2019 Decision

Robert Kubica is still targeting a race seat with Williams for 2019, but the Pole insists he won’t wait beyond the next month for the team’s decision on its future driver line-up.

Williams is patiently weighing its options for next year, with reports suggesting that Mercedes-supported drivers Esteban Ocon and George Russell are being considered for a 2019 seat.

The Grove-based outfit will see Lance Stroll leave to join Force India, but the fate of team mate Sergey Sirotkin and his financial backing from Russian financial institution SMP is still unknown.

“There is no agreement for next season, first we are still in this season,” SMP boss Boris Rotenberg told Russia’s Tass in Sochi last weekend.

Kubica, who was handed a development role this season with Williams, could not offer any insight into his situation with the team but the Pole did say he would likely not accept another year on the sidelines.

“I don’t want to be in a situation like last year,” the Pole told Eleven Sports.

“Everyone should have their deadline and their honour. There is no decision yet, but it should be quite soon. I will not wait until December.”

Kubica’s ambition is to secure a full-time racing programme next season, even if it means moving on from F1.

“The situation when it comes to F1 is not easy, but there are also opportunities to be somewhere else. For me it’s quite transparent,” he said.

“I am waiting but if nothing happens, I will make my own decision.”

Kubica last raced in F1 in 2011, until a rallying crash threatened to end his racing career. Since then, he has slowly and surely begun his recovery to re-enter an F1 car once again. He had a brief stint with Renault as a reserve driver before moving to Williams