Formula 1 driver line-up complete for the 2018 season

Williams has announced that Sergey Sirotkin will partner Lance Stroll for the 2018 Formula 1 season with Robert Kubica named as the team’s reserve and development driver.

Seven years after sustaining life-threatening injuries in a rally crash, 33-year-old Kubica will take part in some practice sessions during the new season, the BBC reports.

After getting injured in a rally in Italy in 2011, Polish driver Kubica still only has partial movement in his right arm. The Pole formerly drove for BMW Sauber from 2006-09 and for Renault in 2010-11.

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Kubica said he was delighted to be taking a big step in returning to F1. “I’m extremely happy to be joining the Williams team as its official reserve and development driver this season,” he said. “My ultimate goal remains to race again in Formula 1 and this is another important step in that direction: I cannot wait to get started.”

Russian 22-year-old Sirotkin will make his F1 debut and his announcement as 19-year-old Stroll’s partner at Williams completes the driver line-up for the 2018 season.

“To say I’m happy and proud to join such a famous team like Williams is an understatement,” Sirotkin told Sky Sports.

“It took a huge amount of work to get where I am, and I’m really happy and thankful to everyone involved. The result of our combined efforts has helped me achieve my dream, and rest assured the team can rely on me to deliver my best.”

Kubica and Sirotkin were in competition for the final seat on the Williams team and technical chief Paddy Lowe added: “We have conducted a rigorous and exhaustive driver evaluation process. Ultimately, Sergey impressed the team with his driving pace and talent, technical feedback and work ethic, both at the factory and trackside in Abu Dhabi.”

The 2018 F1 season will start with the Australian Grand Prix on 25 March in Melbourne.

2018 F1 drivers: how the teams will line up

• Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas
• Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen
• Red Bull: Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen
• Force India: Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon
• Williams: Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin
• Renault: Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz
• Toro Rosso: Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley
• Haas: Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen
• McLaren: Stoffel Vandoorne and Fernando Alonso
• Sauber: Marcus Ericsson and Charles Leclerc

2018 F1 grand prix schedule

• 25 March: Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne
• 8 April: Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir
• 15 April: Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai
• 29 April: Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku
• 13 May: Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona
• 27 May: Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco
• 10 June: Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal
• 24 June: French Grand Prix, Le Castellet
• 1 July: Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg
• 8 July: British Grand Prix, Silverstone
• 22 July: German Grand Prix, Hockenheim
• 29 July: Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest
• 26 August: Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps
• 2 September: Italian Grand Prix, Monza
• 16 September: Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay
• 30 September: Russian Grand Prix, Sochi
• 7 October: Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka
• 21 October: United States Grand Prix, Austin
• 28 October: Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City
• 11 November: Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo
• 25 November: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina