Williams Technical Director Paddy Lowe is keeping his cards very close to his chest over whether Robert Kubica will be driving with the Grove team in 2018, insisting they remain “open-minded”.
Over the weekend rumours intensified that the Pole, who recently completed two test days with Williams at Silverstone and the Hungaroring, will be the man to replace Felipe Massa next season, with French broadcaster Canal + going further by claiming a deal has been signed.
Just over a week ago Massa confirmed he would be retiring at the end of the season, allowing him to say farewell to his fans at Interlagos last weekend but with other names like reserve driver Paul di Resta, who completed the same tests as Kubica, Sauber’s Pascal Wehrlein and Red Bull outcast Daniil Kvyat all linked, Lowe insists no decision has yet been taken.
“We’re open-minded,” he was quoted by Sports Mole. “The important thing is that we have the best lineup next year in terms of performance.”
It is also reported Kubica’s next appearance for Williams will come at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi following the season finale but again on that, the former Mercedes chief wasn’t making anything official.
“We are considering what the best options are for the two days of tyre testing, and Kubica is definitely a strong option,” he claimed.
The 2007 Canadian Grand Prix winner is looking to make a remarkable return to F1 after seeing his first stint ended by a severe rally crash before the 2011 season, leaving the 32-year-old with restricted movement in his right arm.
His first effort came with his former team Renault, driving at the mid-season test in Hungary but attention switched to Williams when the Enstone team managed to secure Carlos Sainz as part of the engine swap deal between Toro Rosso and McLaren.
