Robert Kubica insists he is satisfied with the progress he has made over the past year despite missing out on a return to the Formula 1 grid in 2018.

Earlier this month marked seven years since the Pole's first career was cut short after sustaining severe arm injuries in a rally crash in Andora, an incident that is was thought would prevent him from driving an F1 car again.

However, last summer the 32-year-old completed three tests with Renault before later taking part in three further outings with Williams, aiming to replace the now-retired Felipe Massa.

"Of course when you are so close you always hope to have a happy end," Kubica, who is now reserve and development driver at the Grove-based team told ESPN. 

"In some way, I was hoping to have a drive, but the most important point of the last year was it gave me confidence I could do it - physically, mentally, all my work which I have done in the last years, where I'm coming from a very difficult period, has paid off.

"The last 12 months of my life have been very positive, nobody was expecting myself to be in a position to drive an F1 car, nobody was thinking that I would be having this opportunity."

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The 2008 Canadian Grand Prix winner is not giving up on the goal of earning a race seat, however, and hopes to take advantage of test days and three practice sessions he will complete in 2018.

"Everything can change very quickly so for me it was important to get opportunities to drive," Kubica said. "I'm happy to be part of the Williams team in this role, which is not really a standard third driver, reserve driver role where you go to races and don't do anything.

"Only by driving I can maybe achieve - I say maybe because you never know in your life - the possibility to achieve the final goal. Last year gave me a big boost on believing it's possible but that doesn't mean it will happen but at least I know it is worth to try it."