Both Robert Kubica and Esteban Ocon are on the brink of roles within the Williams team next season, it is being reported.

For Kubica, a much-anticipated return as a race driver is on the cards after rumours emerged last weekend that he had been offered a seat for 2019.

Despite the prospect of potentially a longer-term deal as a Ferrari development driver, it appears the Pole is set to turn that down to achieve the goal he has been targeting since mid-2017.

"His comeback chances at Williams are over 90 per cent," Auto Motor und Sport's Tobias Gruener is claiming.

"It's only about details, for example about how many Friday practice sessions a third driver does. Williams is apparently selling the Fridays to a wealthy client."

Recent speculation of Kubica receiving a financial boost from Polish oil firm PKN Orlen could well be what has tipped the scales in his favour, with Williams reportedly after financial backing that even Mercedes couldn't afford to help Ocon.

"We cannot invest at the level they need," motorsport boss Toto Wolff told Brazil's Globo, revealing that even cheaper engines wouldn't be enough.

"Money is money, no matter how you make it available but we cannot give what they want."

The Frenchman could be with the Grove-based team in one compacity, however, as Mercedes look to get as much F1 action for the 21-year-old as possible next year.

“He could be a test driver for us, Force India and maybe Williams,” Wolff told AMuS. “And he will sit a lot in the simulator.”