Alfa Romeo reserve drivers will be making their second FP1 outings this season in Spielberg at the Styria and Austrian Grand Prix, respectively.
Robert Kubica will take over Kimi Raikkonen’s car on Friday during the first free practice session of the upcoming Styrian Grand Prix.
“I am looking forward to being back in the car next week. The team has made some big steps forward, especially lately, and you can sense the confidence in the whole squad,” the Pole said.
“I know how important it is to keep the momentum going, and I am ready to play my part to make sure the two weekends in Austria are as successful as they can be.”
A reserve and test driver for the Swiss team since 2020, Kubica made his first FP1 appearance this season last month, ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.
Following the racing weekend, he got back at the wheel of the C41 machinery running in the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, taking part in a two-day testing schedule for the 18-inch prototype Pirelli tires, set to be introduced next season.
On Kubica’s return to the Formula One cockpit, Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN, and CEO Sauber Motorsport AG commented: “Robert is an important resource for our team and to have him in the car in Austria will be very valuable, especially as we will be racing at the same venue two weeks in a row.”
He added: “Robert has done a really good job in his first outings this year, and we are looking forward to working with him again as he helps the team in its progression.”
Early in July, Callum Ilott, who joined the F1 team in 2021 as an additional reserve driver, is set to take over Antonio Giovinazzi’s car at the FP1 of the Austrian Grand Prix.
The 22-year-old, who also holds the reserve driver role with Scuderia Ferrari, made his first FP1 run in May at the Portuguese Grand Prix.
“The second FP1 of my season will be a good chance to help the team and build on the good job we did together in Portugal earlier this year,” the Briton stated.
“Knowing the car and the team already will definitely help me get to work straight away, and having the data from the first week of running means we will have a solid base to start with.
“I am looking forward to making the most of this opportunity as the team keeps getting stronger.”
In that regard, Vasseur highlighted: “The way Callum has integrated with the team in a relatively short amount of time is remarkable, and to see him in the car with a solid set-up base from the previous week will be interesting.
“He’s done a good job in Portugal, and the data he provided us with was really useful, so we are looking forward to another productive session together.”
The doubleheader event takes place at the Red Bull Ring, a track that in 2020 served as host for the FIA Formula One World Championship 71st running, with two consecutive rounds.
In 2021, following the cancelation of the Turkish Grand Prix, due to a spike of Covid-19 cases in the country, a revised Formula One calendar allowed a second race in Austria (Styrian GP) to be held at the circuit.
The 2021 Formula One season features a record of 23 races.
