Williams is not close to ending the wait over the identity of its second driver for 2018.
Lance Stroll’s place is set in stone, but there are several contenders to replace the re-retiring Felipe Massa.
The Swiss newspaper Blick reports that the favourites now are Robert Kubica and Toro Rosso refugee Daniil Kvyat, with the latter said to be promising some important Russian sponsorship.
Also rumoured is that Kubica might be given a one-off chance to prove himself in the Abu Dhabi finale, given that he needs to be guaranteed the entire 2018 season as he forfeits a significant disability insurance payout.