Nissany to replace Russell in Austrian FP1 session

Williams Racing has announced that Roy Nissany, the team’s Test Driver, will make his third FP1 appearance of the season at the Austrian Grand Prix, with George Russell returning to the car for FP2.

After the disappointment of last weekend's Styrian Grand Prix, Williams will use the last destination of the first triple-header of the 2021 F1 season to provide Roy Nissany with the opportunity to get eve more acquainted with the team's FW42B.

Nissany is currently in his second year as Williams’ test driver, taking on the role alongside his commitments competing in Formula 2. The French-Israeli driver is completing his third season in the FIA F2 series with the current one set to become his most successful year in Formula One's main feeder series. Nissany has scored his maiden F2 podium in Monaco, finishing third in the first race and scoring further two points with a 9th-place finish in the third race of the same race weekend.

This weekend's practice session will the 26-year-old’s second outing of the season in the FW43B, having taken the reins of Russell’s machine in FP1 at the Spanish Grand Prix last month.

“I can’t wait to get back in the car for the first free practice session of the Austrian Grand Prix – admitted Nissany. "It’s great to be back on the FW43B so early and with the feeling still fresh after FP1 in France, so I think it will be a very useful hour ”.

Commenting on Nissany's latest outing, Williams' Head of Vehicle Performance Dave Robson said: "For the Austrian Grand Prix we will have Roy in the car again and following another successful outing in France, we are keen to see him in action at the Red Bull Ring.

"Over the course of the two weekends we will be able to explore more of the setup options than normal and we will be looking to Roy to assist us with this important work," Robson concluded.