Rowland in talks with Williams for F1 race seat

Oliver Rowland has become a surprise late contender for the Williams race seat for the 2018 Formula 1 world championship alongside Lance Stroll as the team continues to delay its official decision.

Rowland, who has recently taken part in the post-season Formula 2 tests and had talks in Japan about a potential Super Formula switch, is currently a Renault development driver alongside fellow Williams candidate Sergey Sirotkin as he eagerly looks to settle his 2018 plans. Rowland recently completed his second full F2 campaign for DAMS finishing the season third in the drivers’ championship with two wins coming in Monaco and Hungary.

Having arrived back in the UK fresh from his Super Formula talks, Rowland has released a statement confirming he’s also in talks with Williams about a potential move in 2018.

“My team is in talks with Williams, as they are with other teams,” Rowland said. “British car, British driver it fits well. Lots of drivers seem to be in the frame for 2018, so we will just have to see what happens.”

Robert Kubica is still thought to be the strong favourite to make an F1 comeback with Williams after six years away due to an injured right forearm sustained in a rallying crash. The Polish driver tested a previous model Williams at Silverstone and the Hungaroring before being assessed in the 2017-specifciaiton F1 car at the post-season Abu Dhabi tyre test alongside fellow candidate Sirotkin.

Williams has remained tight-lipped on its reaction from the test as it delays its 2018 driver selection. Williams reserve driver Paul di Resta, Mercedes-backed Pascal Wehrlein and ex-Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat are also on the shortlist for the 2018 F1 drive with Rowland joining that list.

Williams has denied Rowland has been added to the shortlist of drivers for its 2018 F1 line-up but refused to comment further on whether a final decision had been made.