Nissany to get FP1 outing with Williams in Spain
Williams test driver Roy Nissany will make his Formula 1 free practice debut for the team in FP1 for the Spanish Grand Prix, taking over George Russell's car.
Nissany had previously taken part in the post-season test at Abu Dhabi last year, and was announced in January as Williams' test driver - joining reserve driver Jack Aitken and development drivers Dan Ticktum and Jamie Chadwick on the Grove team's back bench.
The Israeli currently drives for Trident in Formula 2, having previously driven for the Campos team in 2018.
"I am very keen to get in the car in Barcelona," said Nissany. "Driving an FP1 for the first time is a huge milestone for every driver, yet for me, it is also a national achievement to be carrying the Israeli flag.
"I have thoroughly been preparing for it with the team and I believe we can get great value out of it."
Williams head of vehicle performance Dave Robson added: "Roy Nissany will drive George's car during FP1 at this event.
"We spent time with Roy in Abu Dhabi at the end of last year and we know that he will immediately be up to speed and contributing to the important test plan on Friday.
"We continue to push the FW43 hard and this return to Barcelona is an opportunity to explore again the higher downforce set-ups at a circuit that we know well."
Nissany currently lies 18th in the F2 standings having scored a point in the season opener at the Red Bull Ring.
The Williams will bear the logos of Israel Start-Up Nation, which also lends its name to the cycling team that has acquired the services of four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome.
Israel Start-Up Nation is bankrolled by Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams, who currently backs Nissany's racing career.
Having spent two seasons in the now-defunct Formula V8 3.5 prior to joining F2, Nissany won four races in the category with the Charouz-run Lotus team and with RP Motorsport.
He also ran in a test with Sauber in 2014 at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, driving a two-year-old car.
Nissany's father Chanoch famously drove in a free practice session for Minardi in 2005 ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, and was 12.9 seconds off the pace - 6.8s away from regular driver Christijan Albers.
Share Or Save This Story
The mechanisms at play behind Mercedes' difficult Bahrain GP weekend
Three kings: F1's generational stars shone at Sepang
Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia Driver Ratings 2026
Nissany banned for Monza F2 over penalty points
Nissany handed five-place grid drop for causing Hauger F2 crash
Verschoor slams "dangerous" Nissany's driving in Bahrain F2 race
How Williams wants to avoid a repeat of its 2026 “disaster” next year
What the drivers are expecting from F1's return to Sepang
How Fernando Alonso scored ninth at Zandvoort - and how Alex Albon lost a similar payday
Toto Wolff confirms George Russell engine penalty for Singapore GP: "Particularly frustrating"
Mercedes confirms George Russell's grid penalty for F1 Singapore GP
Nike could return to Formula 1 for first time since Michael Schumacher era
How Williams wants to avoid a repeat of its 2026 “disaster” next year
Three kings: F1's generational stars shone at Sepang
How F1 let a golden opportunity slip at Sepang
How the Bahrain GP in Malaysia exposed Red Bull’s hidden resurgence
You Ask The Questions: Emerson Fittipaldi
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments