Nissany to get FP1 outing with Williams in Spain
Williams test driver Roy Nissany will make his Formula 1 free practice debut for the team in FP1 for the Spanish Grand Prix, taking over George Russell's car.
Nissany had previously taken part in the post-season test at Abu Dhabi last year, and was announced in January as Williams' test driver - joining reserve driver Jack Aitken and development drivers Dan Ticktum and Jamie Chadwick on the Grove team's back bench.
The Israeli currently drives for Trident in Formula 2, having previously driven for the Campos team in 2018.
"I am very keen to get in the car in Barcelona," said Nissany. "Driving an FP1 for the first time is a huge milestone for every driver, yet for me, it is also a national achievement to be carrying the Israeli flag.
"I have thoroughly been preparing for it with the team and I believe we can get great value out of it."
Williams head of vehicle performance Dave Robson added: "Roy Nissany will drive George's car during FP1 at this event.
"We spent time with Roy in Abu Dhabi at the end of last year and we know that he will immediately be up to speed and contributing to the important test plan on Friday.
"We continue to push the FW43 hard and this return to Barcelona is an opportunity to explore again the higher downforce set-ups at a circuit that we know well."
Nissany currently lies 18th in the F2 standings having scored a point in the season opener at the Red Bull Ring.
The Williams will bear the logos of Israel Start-Up Nation, which also lends its name to the cycling team that has acquired the services of four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome.
Israel Start-Up Nation is bankrolled by Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams, who currently backs Nissany's racing career.
Having spent two seasons in the now-defunct Formula V8 3.5 prior to joining F2, Nissany won four races in the category with the Charouz-run Lotus team and with RP Motorsport.
He also ran in a test with Sauber in 2014 at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, driving a two-year-old car.
Nissany's father Chanoch famously drove in a free practice session for Minardi in 2005 ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, and was 12.9 seconds off the pace - 6.8s away from regular driver Christijan Albers.
Share Or Save This Story
George Russell: "No-brainer" to run previous car as Mercedes splits specifications for Singapore
The mechanisms at play behind Mercedes' difficult Bahrain GP weekend
Three kings: F1's generational stars shone at Sepang
Nissany banned for Monza F2 over penalty points
Nissany handed five-place grid drop for causing Hauger F2 crash
Verschoor slams "dangerous" Nissany's driving in Bahrain F2 race
Williams Racing is suing a local garage owner for £1million
How Williams wants to avoid a repeat of its 2026 “disaster” next year
How Fernando Alonso scored ninth at Zandvoort - and how Alex Albon lost a similar payday
MotoGP responds to criticism over lack of rider input on 2027 format change
Spire places Chris Gabehart on administrative leave; JGR claims proof of wrongdoing
Jorge Martin: “I’d sign right now to secure MotoGP title with just one grand prix win”
2026 MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix – How to watch, session times & more
Why Red Bull's 'crazy' power unit success matters so much for F1
No denying it now – the one reason why F1’s ‘horrible’ start in Malaysia could be a good thing
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Three kings: F1's generational stars shone at Sepang
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments