Kubica and Nissany to drive in FP1

Robert Kubica and Roy Nissany will take part in the opening practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix as they get behind the wheel of the 2020 car of the Alfa Romeo and Williams team respectively.

One-time Grand Prix winner Robert Kubica will return to the Formula One paddock this weekend as he prepares himself for an outing in one of the two Alfa Romeo Orlen C39s. The Polish driver will take over the car of Kimi Räikkönen for the first 90-minute session in Manama.

“I am very pleased to be back in the driving seat for the first time since August,” said the Pole. „It may sound like a long time, but my season has been really busy with my simulator work at the factory and my DTM programme, so it actually felt like it went quite quickly.

Kubica competed in the German Tourenwagen Masters this year, driving a BMW for the ART team. Beside his role in DTM, he also worked for Alfa Romeo as development driver. His outing in Bahrain will mark his fourth appearance at a race weekend this year after driving at Silverstone, in Styria and Hungary.

“Now that my DTM season is over, I am keen to get back into my Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN role full time: there is still a lot to fight for and I am confident my work will make a positive contribution to the team’s efforts.”

Team Principal Frederic Vasseur added: “We are all pleased to see Robert get back in the car for FP1. His contribution to the team has been important so far this season and to be able to get the most of his experience and skills here in Bahrain is going to help the team continue its current path of progression. Sakhir is a circuit he knows really well and this will really help our work this weekend.”

"Bahrain is a very special track for me, driving a Formula One car around it for the first time means a lot. It is always a great opportunity to develop on such a technical and demanding track," said Nissany.