Formula 1: Robert Kubica won’t return to Williams in 2020

After returning to Formula 1 for the first time since his 2011 rally crash in the 2019 season with Williams, Robert Kubica will not return to the team next year.

Robert Kubica was involved in a life-threatening rally crash back in 2011 that prevented him from competing in Formula 1 the following year. According to Kubica, he had a contract to drive for Scuderia Ferrari in the 2012 season before this accident.

After having not competed in Formula 1 since the 2010 season, the 34-year-old Pole managed to return to the sport nine years leader driving for ROKiT Williams Racing. He spent the 2018 season as a test driver for the team before he was promoted ahead of the 2019 season.

But Kubica will not return to Williams in the 2020 season. Here is what Kubica had to say about the matter, according to Formula 1.

"“I have taken the decision that I will not continue more with Williams after this year. The decision opens a bit the opportunities for me for the future in different scenarios and now I will evaluate what is possible.”"

Kubica was asked whether or not he would have preferred to remain in Formula 1 for another season. Here is what he had to add.

"“Of course, my answer will be yes, but not [at any] cost, and I think I have to first of all do what will bring me back a bit of joy of racing. This season has been very tough from a performance point of view, but it’s been also very demanding. Being back in Formula 1 after a long time is not easy, and especially when you’re in a difficult situation like we are. But still, nevertheless, I have to thank the team for the opportunity and we’ll see what the future will bring.”"

Here is what Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams had to say about Kubica leaving the team after the 2019 season.

"“Robert has been an important member of the team in both his role as Reserve & Development Driver, and subsequently as one of our Race Drivers in 2019. We thank him for his continued efforts throughout what has been a challenging couple of seasons and wish him well in his future endeavors.”"

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At this point, it is unlikely that Kubica will end up back in Formula 1 next year and perhaps even beyond that. Through the first 14 races of the 21-race 2019 season, he has been outqualified by rookie teammate George Russell on every occasion, and he has finished ahead of him only twice.

Kubica has, however, scored the Grove-based team’s only point of the season in what has been their worst season in their 43-year history in Formula 1, as he finished in 10th place in the German Grand Prix.

Before the 2019 season, Kubica competed in Formula 1 from the end of the 2006 season through the 2010 season. He drove for BMW Sauber from the 2006 season through the 2009 season and recorded nine podium finishes, including his lone career victory in the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix, and one pole position (2008 Bahrain Grand Prix) in 57 starts for the team. He then drove for Renault in the 2010 season and recorded an additional three podium finishes in 19 races.

Williams have already confirmed that George Russell is slated to return to the team for the 2020 Formula 1 season and beyond. Who will they sign as Robert Kubica’s replacement, and where will Kubica end up driving next year?