Roy Nissany will get his first free practice outing this weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, with the Israeli set to become just the second driver from his homeland to run in an official session in Formula 1.
Nissany, who races in the FIA Formula 2 championship with Trident in 2020, joined the Williams Racing team as an official Test Driver last year, and the twenty-five-year-old from Tel Aviv will take over the car of George Russell for the first session of the weekend in Spain.
Ironically, the first Israeli to run a free practice session was Chanoch Nissany, Roy’s father, who participated in a session with the Minardi F1 Team at the Hungaroring back in 2005. However, the younger Nissany is eager for his first taste of an official Formula 1 session and of Williams’ FW43.
“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.”
Dave Robson, the Head of Vehicle Performance at Williams, has welcomed the news that Nissany will run a free practice session for the team for the first time, although it will not be his first time driving a Williams.
The Israeli driver having previously run with the squad during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi last year and impressed Robson with his feedback, and he feels Nissany will contribute well this coming weekend.
“Roy Nissany will drive George’s car during FP1 at this event,” said Robson. “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.”
