With an eye on Valtteri Bottas' back issue, Williams has recruited Adrian Sutil as its reserve driver.

The German will spend time in the team's race simulator to ensure he is fully accustomed to the FW37's controls and procedures, should he be required to step into the cockpit at any time during the current season. He has also spent time integrating himself into the team to ensure he is fully prepared to join at any event, should the need arise.

"I'm very proud to be a part of such a famous and great F1 team," said Sutil. "To work for Sir Frank Williams and his team means a lot to me. I would like to thank everyone at Williams for their belief in my qualities and the opportunity to work with such a successful and competitive outfit."

“I'm delighted to have Adrian join our stable of drivers for the 2015 season," added Frank Williams. "Adrian brings extensive racing experience, having competed 128 Formula One races during his career. Having most recently raced during the 2014 season also gives him excellent knowledge of the current generation of race car and new Hybrid power units, which is invaluable for anyone needing to step into the cockpit in 2015. The fight for a top Constructors' Championship position will be intense this season, therefore we have selected a driver with recent race experience and are confident that if the need arose, he would be a solid pair of hands to race the FW37 and assist our 2015 campaign."

Sutil made his F1 debut in 2007 with Spyker before continuing to race with the team under its new guise of Force India from 2008 until 2011. He returned to the sport in 2013, again with Force India before contesting the 2014 season with Sauber.

The move will come as a blow to test driver Susie Wolff and development driver Alex Lynn, both of whom were ruled out as replacements for Bottas following his inability to drive in the season opener after suffering a tear in the annular part of a disc in his lower back during qualifying.

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