Williams expects to have Sirotkin "for many years"

  • Published on 20 Jan 2018 15:14
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Williams says that it is planning to hold on to Sergey Sirotkin for many years to come. The 22-year-old Russian will make his Grand Prix debut in March for the Grove-based team, having secured a race seat following his display at the Abu Dhabi post-season test.

Sirotkin beat Robert Kubica to the seat, with the Pole signing for a role as the reserve and development driver. Sirotkin's contract has been described as a multi-year deal, and Williams CEO Mike O’Driscoll stated that he is not a temporary fitting at the team.

“What we have with Sergey is a multi-year contract. We have a lot of confidence in Sergey. We never talk about the specific terms for any driver at any point, and that’s common across many of the Formula 1 teams. But we can tell you it’s a multi-year contract, so expect to see Sergey, in the years ahead, wearing the Williams uniform.

Sirotkin comes with a hefty backing from SMP Racing, and its chief executive Dmitry Samorukov admitted that securing a deal that lasted longer than just one year was important for Sirotkin and his future in the pinnacle of motorsport.

"We knew that there was no point in signing a contract just for one year, in terms of Sergey's work with the team and with the car," he said. "Our programme is designed for more than a year. We have very flexible terms in the deal, but it's definitely 'one-plus'."

Williams chief technical officer Paddy Lowe added: “We’re very excited about what Sergey can do this year, and even in the many years ahead.  Like Mike said, this is a multi-year partnership with Sergey and also with SMP Racing.

“We’re very impressed with what SMP are doing, it shows an example to the rest of the world, a process by which young drivers can be promoted and supported. What we really want in motorsport is the very best talent coming to the top, and not the talent that’s driven there by opportunity, good luck, or money."

 

Fergal Walsh

Or until the money runs out... Like Pastor Maldonado

  • 1
  • Jan 20 2018 - 16:54

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • Or until the money runs out... Like Pastor Maldonado

    • + 1
    • Jan 20 2018 - 16:54
    • The difference is that Maldonado was just plain awful. I dont think Sirotkin will be that, AFAIK he is supposed to be a quite okay driver. He seems to be a nice dude, so at least he has that going for him. Not that it helped Palmer... But its naive and far too early of Williams to already announce how they are going to retain him for years to come. Of course, it could be aimed as an indirect demand to Stroll. Git gud, or we'll favour the Siberian Rusky over you.

      • + 0
      • Jan 20 2018 - 17:53

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country RU
  • Date of b. Aug 27 1995 (28)
  • Place of b. Moskou, RU
  • Weight 71 kg
  • Length 1.84 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar