Robert Kubica has been confirmed to drive for Renault in the two-day test after the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 2.
The Pole has completed two tests with the French team since June and has been working towards making a comeback into a full-time Formula 1 seat ever since.
Testing the RS17 is the next step in a lengthy process which has seen the 32-year old put through his paces in order to validate if he is fully up to the task of managing current F1 machinery.
Putting a 2017 car around the tight and twisty nature of the Hungaroring is certainly a challenge for any driver, however, if Kubica can complete his programme with little to no issues, the path towards a comeback becomes ever more clear.
With the future of Jolyon Palmer still under a considerable amount of scrutiny due to the lack of pace shown by the Briton, speculation Kubica is being lined-up to replace him grows ever further.
Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz has also been linked with Palmer’s seat, but team boss Cyril Abiteboul has stated it is not something they are currently pursuing.
Abiteboul said: “The first two days of testing allowed both Robert and ourselves to gather a great amount of information. The upcoming session with the R.S.17 at the Hungaroring will allow us all to obtain detailed and precise data in a current car and representative conditions.
“After this test, we will carefully analyse the collected information to determine in what conditions it would be possible for Robert to return to competition in the upcoming years.”
