SINGAPORE, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica has announced that he will leave the Williams team at the end of the current season.
The Pole returned to F1 this year after an eight-year absence from the sport following a rally crash in early 2011 in which his right arm was severely damaged.
Making his announcement at the drivers' pre-race press conference ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Kubica added that he would like to continue in F1, "but not at any cost."
"I want something to bring back the joy of racing. This has been a very demanding season," added the Pole, whose Williams team is currently rooted to the bottom of the constructors' championship.
Although Kubica scored the Grove-based outfit's only point so far this year at the German Grand Prix, he has been largely overshadowed by rookie teammate George Russell, and rumors have persisted that Williams is set to promote its well-financed reserve driver Nicholas Latifi to a race seat for 2020 in Kubica's stead.
Before his rally crash, Kubica was considered one of F1's brightest stars, winning the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix for the BMW Sauber team on his way to finishing third in that year's drivers' championship. Moving to Renault for 2010, the Pole continued to impress, and was linked with a Ferrari drive for 2012.
Following several years of rehabilitation and many surgeries to repair his damaged arm, Kubica's return to F1 was greeted with considerable fanfare, with many praising his determination and fortitude in overcoming a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.
World champion Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to Kubica, whom he first raced against in karting over 20 years ago. "Robert has been one of the most talented drivers I have ever raced against, but what is really remarkable is the strength and determination he has shown to come back from the incident he had. Not a lot of people could come back from that and still deliver. I think he has done great this year."
