The Renault F1 Team has confirmed that Robert Kubica will have a second test for them this season, this time, to gauge if a full-time return to Formula 1 is possible after being absent from the sport for six years.
Renault confirm second Robert Kubica test to gauge if F1 return is possible
“Whilst the first day of testing at Valencia was no more than to let Robert get reacquainted with the feel of driving again, this second test will be to assess his capabilities to return to the highest level of competition,” said Cyril Abiteboul, the managing director of Renault.
“This is a new phase in his personal and professional journey and we are proud to support him in the form of lending our infrastructure at Paul Ricard that is suitable for professional and non-professional drivers. There are still many hurdles for him to overcome, and he knows better than anyone else that only his performance will determine if he can one day return to being a professional driver,” he added.
Kubica drove in Formula 1 from 2006-2010 for BMW Sauber and Renault, and was scheduled to drive in 2011. A severe rally car accident in Italy however, prevented the Polish driver from competing that season, and has since prevented him from returning to the F1 grid.
Last month, Kubica tested for Renault at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, and completed an impressive 115 laps behind the wheel of a Lotus E20 F1 car from the 2012 Season. In his second test, this time at Paul Ricard in France, Kubica will be driving the same car, however, will undergo extensive evaluation to see if a full-time F1 return is possible.
Since his private test with Renault in Valencia, Kubica has been linked to a drive with the team in 2018 to replace Jolyon Palmer, although nothing has yet been confirmed.
