Robert Kubica admits he will find it “quite difficult” to watch races from within the Williams garage despite returning to Formula 1 as a reserve and development driver for 2018.
The Pole was hoping to make a remarkable comeback to the grid this season, seven years after a horrific rally crash ended his first career in the sport, instead, he just missed out to Sergey Sirotkin after the Russian impressed at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
Nevertheless, the 32-year-old is pleased to be back in the F1 fold and doesn’t expect to be left without work during the upcoming year with three Friday practice outings confirmed with the first in Spain in May.
“I’m back permanently in the F1 paddock, so I’m looking forward to it,” Kubica declared at the Williams launch on Thursday.
“It will be interesting to go back to some of the places I have been before, some of them providing different emotions from different moments in my life.
“Sometimes it can be quite difficult watching others racing, but I have a different role this year. It’s sure to be a tough season with a lot of races and things to do.
“I have to be on top of the work I have to do for the team.”
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Also speaking at the launch event in London, deputy team boss Claire Williams addressed the decision to choose Sirotkin calling those who simply cite his financial backing as “naive”.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how Sergey does,” she continued. “The guy’s had an impeccable track record in single-seater racing, having come third twice in what was the GP2 championship and obviously, Renault thought he had the talent in order to make him their reserve driver.
“For me, it’s really exciting to see him. He did a phenomenal job for us in the Abu Dhabi test and I think probably Sergey is one of those drivers we haven’t heard of as much but I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people this year.”
