Breaking news

Formula 1

Williams denies Rowland claims of 2018 seat talks

Oliver Rowland's team says it is in talks with Williams regarding a race seat for 2018, but the Formula 1 outfit denies that is the case.

Lawrence Barretto

Edited: Dec 8, 2017, 5:39 PM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Oliver Rowland, Racing Engineering

Williams is currently assessing its options for the second seat alongside Lance Stroll in 2018, with Robert Kubica, Daniil Kvyat, Sergey Sirotkin and Paul di Resta in the frame.

Rowland, who holds the role of development driver for Renault and finished third in the F2 drivers' standings this season, has not previously been linked with Williams.

But on Friday, Rowland's team sent out a statement saying: "F1 Renault development driver Oliver Rowland is in talks with Williams about securing a seat for Formula 1 in 2018. 

"The 25-year-old hasn't been considered an option until now, with Williams still undecided of who to put in the car next year."

Rowland added: "My team is in talks with Williams, as they are with other teams. British car, British driver it fits well.

"Lots of drivers seem to be in the frame for 2018, so we will just have to see what happens."

But when contacted by Motorsport.com, Williams said Rowland is not in contention for a race seat in 2018 and there have not been any discussions regarding that particular subject.

It is believed there have been talks between the two parties, with several options such as a reserve role or time in a 2018 car being mooted.

Williams is believed to want to sort out its race driver line-up before finalising its plans for the reserve role and any potential running of drivers in FP1 sessions.

The team insists it is in no rush to make a decision, with further meetings and analysis planned.

Rowland could not be reached for comment when contacted by Motorsport.com.

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article Hamilton: Hungary motivated me to beat Bottas "every single time"

Next article Hamilton expects to continue in F1 until 2020

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

Lawrence Barretto



Sirotkin, Stroll to have two race engineers each

Formula 1

Formula 1

Sirotkin, Stroll to have two race engineers each



Hamilton "sacrifice" saved Mercedes an hour of testing

Formula 1

Formula 1

Hamilton "sacrifice" saved Mercedes an hour of testing



Kubica regrets being "too honest" about driving limitations

Formula 1

Formula 1

Kubica regrets being "too honest" about driving limitations

More from

Oliver Rowland



The key mindset that led Oliver Rowland and Nissan to the Formula E title

Formula E

Formula E

Berlin ePrix II

The key mindset that led Oliver Rowland and Nissan to the Formula E title



Oliver Rowland clinches Formula E title as Nick Cassidy wins second Berlin E-Prix

Formula E

Formula E

Berlin ePrix II

Oliver Rowland clinches Formula E title as Nick Cassidy wins second Berlin E-Prix



Five things we learned from the Mexico City E-Prix

Formula E

Formula E

Mexico City ePrix

Five things we learned from the Mexico City E-Prix

More from

Williams



Williams has better cooling vests than anyone – Alex Albon

Formula 1

Formula 1 22 min

Williams has better cooling vests than anyone – Alex Albon



James Vowles explains request for review of F1 cost cap

Formula 1

Formula 1

Singapore GP

James Vowles explains request for review of F1 cost cap



How Fernando Alonso scored ninth at Zandvoort - and how Alex Albon lost a similar payday

Formula 1

Dutch GP

How Fernando Alonso scored ninth at Zandvoort - and how Alex Albon lost a similar payday

Latest news



Williams has better cooling vests than anyone – Alex Albon

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1 22 min

Williams has better cooling vests than anyone – Alex Albon



How Toyota destroyed the competition to seal the WEC crowns

WEC

Barcelona

How Toyota destroyed the competition to seal the WEC crowns



Daniel Juncadella says he “f***ed” up as Genesis goes from first to last in Barcelona WEC

WEC

WEC WEC

Barcelona

1 h

Daniel Juncadella says he “f***ed” up as Genesis goes from first to last in Barcelona WEC



McLaren retains Leonardo Fornaroli in F1 as Italian adds WEC programme for 2027

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1 1 h

McLaren retains Leonardo Fornaroli in F1 as Italian adds WEC programme for 2027

Feature

Discover prime content



How levelling the playing field isn’t antithetical to the principles of F1

Formula 1

By Pat Symonds

How levelling the playing field isn’t antithetical to the principles of F1



Lights, Camara, action: How Haas picked F1's latest rookie for 2027

Formula 1

Singapore GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

Lights, Camara, action: How Haas picked F1's latest rookie for 2027



Employing team orders can simply be a matter of common sense

Formula 1

By Kevin Turner

Employing team orders can simply be a matter of common sense



Why Christian Horner sees history repeating itself for Adrian Newey at Aston Martin

Formula 1

Singapore GP

By Ronald Vording

Why Christian Horner sees history repeating itself for Adrian Newey at Aston Martin

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.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe