Williams has announced that reserve driver Paul di Resta will replace the unwell Felipe Massa for the remainder of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. Massa withdrew following the third practice session.
Massa carried out Friday running at the Hungaroring. But he complained of feeling unwell, and visited the medical centre. After that he was being taken to the MH EK Honvedkorkaz hospital for further checks.
He was cleared by the FIA to take part in final practice, but his symptoms persisted, prompting him to end the session early and then make the call to withdraw from the event.
Di Resta, who last raced in Formula 1 with Force India in 2013
will thus step in to replace Massa, partnering rookie Lance Stroll.
“Williams supports Felipe’s decision and the team will work with him to ensure he makes a full recovery, with a view to return to the race track for the Belgian Grand Prix,” read a team statement.
It will be di Resta’s first F1 outing since his final race for Force India – at the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Since leaving grand prix racing, the Scotsman returned to the Mercedes DTM outfit. Which had taken him to the series title back in 2010.
He’s won two races since his DTM comeback, the more recent of the two wins coming at the Hungaroring.
Statement from @WilliamsRacing on @MassaFelipe19 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/I6W47CE6tk
— WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) July 29, 2017
