By Abhishek Takle
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Robert Kubica will leave former champions Williams (NYSE:WMB) at the end of the season, a move likely to bring the curtain down on the Polish driver's extraordinary Formula One racing comeback following a rally crash eight years ago.
The 34-year-old made his race return this season after suffering near-fatal injuries, including a partially severed right arm, in a minor rally in Italy on the eve of the 2011 season.
"In order to evaluate other opportunities I have taken the decision that I will not continue more with Williams after this year," he told reporters at a Singapore Grand Prix news conference.
"It took... a lot of time to recover and come back to the sport. I said this year will be a goal to remain in F1... but not at every cost.
"I have to first of all do what will bring me back a bit of joy of racing. This season has been very tough from a performance point of view, but it has been also very demanding. Being back in Formula One after a long time is not easy."
Williams are last in the championship after 14 races with an uncompetitive car and just one point scored by Kubica in Germany after drivers ahead of him were demoted by penalties.
The Pole, a race winner with now-defunct BMW-Sauber in Canada in 2008 and once seen as a potential champion, remains the only Polish driver to have competed in the Formula One championship.
Mercedes' five times world champion Lewis Hamilton, a boyhood rival in karting, hailed Kubica's strength and determination.
"Not a lot of people can come through those circumstances and come back, make it back into the sport and deliver against others who don’t have the same situation that he’s been in. I think it’s been great to have him back," he said.
"I understand his position and I don’t know what’s given him the reason to make the decision but I hope there’s a position for him next year."
French driver Romain Grosjean said the Pole had been an inspiration. "In motorsport he is an example, but also in life generally, to come back to the highest level and... fight the way he fought back is very impressive."
2020 LINEUP
Williams said they would announce their 2020 lineup in due course.
British rookie and last year's Formula Two champion George Russell is backed by engine provider Mercedes and is sure to stay, with Canadian reserve Nicholas Latifi seen as Kubica's likely replacement.
Latifi, who is second in the F2 championship, has put in three practice appearances for Williams.
Deputy team principal Claire Williams, daughter of co-founder Frank, has already marked the 24-year-old out as a contender.
Nico Hulkenberg, who is being replaced by Frenchman Esteban Ocon next season at Renault (PA:RENA), could also be in the frame.
The German had been strongly linked with a move to Haas next year but the U.S.-owned team is sticking with its lineup of Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen.
Kubica's sponsor, Polish oil refiner PKN Orlen, is set to go with him.
"At this stage... we are considering different scenarios for the next season," said the company's Chief Executive Daniel Obajtek. "We intend to stay in Formula One, strengthening the international recognition of the Orlen brand."