Williams confirmed the news on Thursday, meaning Kubica will be back on an F1 grid for the first time since 2010. The Polish driver's career had been cut short due to injuries he sustained in a rallying accident on the eve of the 2011 season, which had kept him side-lined since.
Hopes of a comeback appeared to have faded until last year when, after multiple surgeries on his right arm, he was able to complete several highly-publicised tests for Renault, the team he had been signed to in 2011, and Williams. He failed to secure a race seat with either team but was kept on with Williams in a testing capacity, competing at two Friday practice session this year in the process.