Robert Kubica front-runner for vacant Williams seat after completing 108 laps in Abu Dhabi test to continue comeback

Kubica appears to have secured an FIA super licence, paving the way to a return to F1 in 2018

Robert Kubica is the favourite to win the WIlliams seat for 2018 (REX)

Robert Kubica has emerged as the front-runner for the vacant Williams seat for the 2018 Formula One season after completing 108 laps during the end-of-season tyre test in Abu Dhabi.

Two days after the F1 season ended at the Yas Marina circuit, preparations began for the 2018 campaign with a Pirelli test that featured the two new tyre compounds, the superhard and the ultrasoft.

Such is the importance of understanding these new compounds, nearly all of the teams deployed their lead drivers in order to gain track time, with Lewis Hamilton turning out for Mercedes, Kimi Raikkonen in the Ferrari and Fernando Alonso in the McLaren. Just four test drivers took part on the first day of the two-day test, with Sean Gelael in the Toro Rosso, Nikita Mazepin in the Force India, Oliver Turvey in a second McLaren and Kubica in the Williams.

The 32-year-old Pole completed more than 100 laps in a bid to prove his fitness – something which cost him a place at Renault to Carlos Sainz after testing with the French manufacturer earlier in the year – and he will return to the cockpit on Wednesday to share Williams duties with another 2018 hopeful in Sergey Sirotkin, having partnered confirmed driver Lance Stroll on Tuesday.

However, it has emerged that Kubica has stolen a march on his rivals for the vacant Williams seat – ahead of Paul Di Resta, Daniil Kvyat, Pascal Wehrlein and Sirotkin – after gaining an FIA super licence, a necessity to compete in F1 that would likely have been partially funded by a team due to its high cost. Kubica tested on Tuesday with a red flashing light on the back of his Williams, a light that is reserved for those drivers who hold a super licence, while rookies and non-super licence drivers test with a green light.

And after completing the first of his two-day programme, Kubica admitted that he feels in the shape of his life, which is quite the claim given that he was regarded as one of the fittest drivers on the grid before his 2011 rally accident that nearly resulted in his right arm being amputated.

“It has not been easy, but I am in far better physical shape than when I was racing in 2010,” Kubica said. “The motivation is there and the body is reacting in a good way.

“I am starting from scratch because Formula One has changed so much over the past seven years, but the experience I gained while racing in F1 has helped me to get on top of the learning process.

“I have some limitations and I have to adapt, but one positive thing is how my body is reacting and how natural I feel every day when I am driving these cars, so that gives me a lot of confidence.

Kubica suffered career-altering injuries in a 2011 rally crash in Italy (Getty)

“What the future will bring, I do not know, but today was the kind of day that if nothing else happens there will be disappointment because I feel confident and comfortable.”

Kubica, now managed by dethroned 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg, is aware that his potential return and fairy tale story has gained him a lot of support from F1 fans, but stressed that it counts for nothing when it comes to impressing the powers that be that will decide his fate.

“There are lot of people wishing to see me back because of the story, but there is no discount for the story," Kubica added. "I have to make sure if I get the chance I am ready and prepared.

“If I do come back I am not here to make up the numbers. I have to make sure I can provide the best of Robert Kubica.”