Williams sponsor PKN Orlen wants answers from the team over why it pulled Robert Kubica’s car out of Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix.

The team said following the race it parked Kubica’s car on the 29th lap of the 53-lap race in order to conserve parts for future races . “We opted to retire Robert soon afterwards in order to conserve parts ahead of the intense flyaway races which end the season,” said senior race engineer Dave Robson.

In a statement released to the media, the Polish petrochemicals company said it has “officially asked the Rokit Williams Racing team for clarification” on why Kubica was pulled out of the race.

A Williams spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.

Williams suffered a shortage of parts during the opening races of the season having made a late start to testing due to delays completing its first FW42 chassis. Kubica announced during the Singapore Grand Prix he will leave Williams at the end of the year.

Radio messages from Kubica’s retirement

Kubica was told to retire the car in the pits immediately after his team mate George Russell crashed out on lap 28.

To Kubica: Safety Car, Safety Car. Box, box. To Kubica: Copy. To Kubica: OK Robert we are going to have to retire the car. To Kubica: We are retiring the car so just stop in the box, engine off. Kubica: Oh. OK. Kubica: Why is this? To Kubica: Talk afterwards.

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2019 F1 season