Williams confirm Kubica chassis change, race status update

Williams have confirmed that Robert Kubica will require a change of chassis to start the Japanese Grand Prix after crashing in qualifying.

With Saturday's action cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis, qualifying was held just four hours before the grand prix's scheduled race start.

And Kubica made a nightmare start, running wide at the final corner and hitting the barriers, causing significant damage to the left-hand side of his car.

The Pole had been retired from the last race in an attempt to save parts, raising fears that Williams may not be able to repair his FW42.

However, Williams confirmed in a statement that the required parts are available to Williams, who will rush in a desperate attempt to put Kubica's car back together.

Kubica will take a pit-lane start as a result of the change which could buy Williams crucial minutes in order to get the job done.

An early end to qualifying for Robert Kubica, who was a victim of the blustery conditions on the exit of Turn 18 ?#JapaneseGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/hWMtRITCj8

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 13, 2019

Kevin Magnussen also crashed in Q1, while Nico Hulkenberg suffered a hydraulic leak, but both are expected to be fine to start, the Dane taking a new gearbox which incurs a largely meaningless penalty.