Kubica to drive new Alfa Romeo first at F1 testing

Robert Kubica will be the first driver to get behind the wheel of Alfa Romeo’s 2020 Formula 1 car during pre-season testing at Barcelona.

Kubica, who was named Alfa Romeo’s F1 reserve and test driver last month, is combining a campaign in the DTM with customer BMW squad ART Grand Prix alongside his F1 commitments.

It will mark the 35-year-old Pole’s first F1 outing since leaving Williams at the end of a tough comeback season in 2019.

Kubica will be the first driver to sample Alfa Romeo’s new C39 machinery during the first pre-season test at the Circuit de Barcelone-Catalunya on Wednesday morning, before team regular Antonio Giovinazzi takes over for the afternoon session.

Kimi Raikkonen, who completed a shakedown run in Alfa Romeo’s 2020 car featuring a one-off ‘snakeskin’ livery last week at Fiorano, will complete running during the second day, with Giovinazzi rounding out the first winter test action on Friday.

Kubica’s primary backer PKN Orlen has followed him from Williams to Alfa Romeo, where it has become the Swiss squad’s co-title sponsor for 2020.

The Polish petrol firm’s branding and company logo is set to feature prominently on both Alfa Romeo’s car and teamwear during the upcoming campaign as part of the deal.

2008 Canadian Grand Prix winner Kubica returned to F1 last year to complete a remarkable comeback from the life-threatening injuries he suffered during a rally incident in 2011 that cut-short his promising single-seater career.

Kubica scored Williams’ only point of the 2019 campaign in Germany and finished the year 19th in the drivers’ standings.

Helmets on!

We're ready to go testing in Barcelona in our new, shiny C39 - and we've got a great line-up eager to get their season started!

Wednesday: Robert (morning) / Antonio (afternoon)
Thursday: Kimi
Friday: Antonio

And you - will you be with us? pic.twitter.com/rcT4Ow3Mhu

— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) February 18, 2020