Williams pick Israeli as F1 test driver

After unveiling a cycling team for Tour de France, Israel is hoping to furr boost its im through sport with anuncement Wednesday of a Formula One driver. Executives from Williams were in coastal city of Tel Aviv to present Roy Nissany, whom British team said will be first driver to display Israeli flag. 25-year-old French-Israeli joins team after two days of testing last month in Abu Dhabi, capital of United Arab Emirates.

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Born in Tel Aviv, he is son of Chach Nissany who took part in free practice session of 2005 Hungarian Grand Prix for Italian team Minardi. While some dubbed him first Israeli Formula One driver, he was 42 at time and had spent majority of his life in Hungary. His son will enter Williams ranks as a test driver for 2020 season, as team tries to recover from a disastrous 2019.

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"Roy demonstrated his capabilities driving in post-season Abu Dhabi test last year and we were extremely impressed," said deputy team chief Claire Williams.

"You want fastest driver that you can have... but you need to have drivers that are absolutely team players," said Williams at a Tel Aviv press conference.

"Having an Israeli driver is a historic moment," she added.

Nissany will be team's third driver, after Briton George Russell and Canadian Nicolas Latifi who is of Iranian origin.

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Israeli flag

new test driver said his key role will be "giving my feedback, understanding new race car, kwing it to tiniest bolts, getting ready to develop 2021 car and hopefully to drive it as well."  Nissany last year competed in Formula Two, coming 10th in his best finish. He gained fourth place in World Series Formula V8 3500cc in 2016 with three victories. His car will display Israeli flag and Israel Start-Up Nation logo, name of country's first Tour de France cycling team.

cyclists are funded by Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams, who presented himself as president of Roy Nissany Formula One manment group.

"I have certain responsibilities in terms of bringing sponsorship," Adams told AFP.

He was also financial backer who brought Lionel Messi and his Argentina team mates to Tel Aviv in vember, for a friendly football match against Uruguay.

"He tested in Abu Dhabi, think of what that means, just a few years ago this would have been a n-thinkable thing," he added of an Israeli driver appearing in an Arab city.

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