Sebastian Vettel does see one negative surrounding Robert Kubica’s comeback to Formula 1 next season.
The Pole has been promoted from reserve and development driver at Williams into the race seat filled by Sergey Sirotkin in 2018 after the Russian’s backers SMP Racing withdrew their support to the British team.
And while his return is seen as a great feel-good story for F1, coming eight years after his horrific rally crash, Vettel has noted one consequence which can’t be overlooked.
“I have mixed feelings,” the Ferrari driver told Swiss publication Blick.
“On the one hand, it pleases me personally. No one can even imagine how hard it was for him and what he went through.
“On the other hand, there are also young drivers who deserve a chance,” the German said.
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Indeed, a key factor in Kubica’s comeback is the financial backing he has secured from Poland to replace the loss of revenue brought in Martini, who was the title sponsor, and the Stroll’s who have headed to the re-named Racing Point team.
Williams does have one youngster in their line-up in F2 champion George Russell but Esteban Ocon was another name linked before Robert got the drive and now the Frenchman is spending a year as reserve driver at Mercedes.