Kubica had chances to prove himself - Chandhok

Former Formula One and Formula E driver Karun Chandhok believes that Robert Kubica had enough opportunities to prove himself capable of performing in F1 this campaign, even though he thinks it is a 'shame' that the Pole did not manage to make his comeback for the 2018 campaign.

Kubica suffered a career-threatening injury a few years ago during a rally car accident which cost him part of his forearm. Since over a dozen successful reconstructive surgeries, he has been attempting to make a F1 comeback and has tested for both Renault and Williams.

He was in line to become Williams' second driver for 2018 alongside Lance Stroll, but the team opted to go for Sergey Sirotkin instead.

Chandhok believes it was a shame Kubica did not receive the seat, but thinks he had enough opportunities to prove himself.

"It's a shame for him, but I think they gave him plenty of opportunities to really prove that he deserves a seat in a meritocratic way," said Chandhok, who was at Autosport International.

"I can't think of many other drivers who have had this many opportunities with two teams to test and prove themselves capable of having a race seat.

"I don't think you can say he hasn't had a fair chance to be evaluated.

"I know Robert quite well. We've been friends since we raced together in World Series in 2005 and he's a great lad and at his peak before his accident he was utterly brilliant.

"But the reality is teams can't hire drivers based on the past, they have to hire drivers based on their circumstances and their performance today.

"It's a shame for the sport and for Robert obviously that it's not worked out."