Sergey Sirotkin hits out at 'pay driver' label

  • Published on 05 Feb 2018 11:19
  • comments 6
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Sergey Sirotkin says he is ignoring those who call him a 'pay driver'. Some, including sections of the media, say the Russian secured Williams' second seat for 2018 thanks to the millions brought to the team by SMP Bank. "I do not pay attention to names like 'pay driver'," Sirotkin told Russian radio Sport FM.

Criticising the media who repeat the label, the 22-year-old added: "People write things but where do they get the information from? If you know something and can confirm it with facts, then please do," he said.

Sirotkin also offered his opinion about the banning of grid girls, insisting his focus is elsewhere. "When you sit on the grid, you're not thinking about the girls," he said.

"If I had not been told about this news then I would not have even noticed. I can understand the position of both the opponents and the supporters of this decision, but I look at it from the professional point of view -- that it does not affect the drivers in any way," Sirotkin added. (GMM)

Jutlandia

Posts: 191

SMP Bank has payed Williams in order to get you a seat, dumb @ss.
I think it's general failure with russians, if you deny it enough, you start belive it's the truth.

  • 2
  • Feb 5 2018 - 12:02

Replies (6)

Login to reply
  • Jutlandia

    Posts: 191

    SMP Bank has payed Williams in order to get you a seat, dumb @ss.
    I think it's general failure with russians, if you deny it enough, you start belive it's the truth.

    • + 2
    • Feb 5 2018 - 12:02
    • xoya

      Posts: 583

      Every driver brings sponsors along. No one gets "there" on talent alone.
      Some drivers bring more sponsors than the others and that's fine.
      What defines a true pay driver is a total lack of ability and having only the "money aspect".
      Sirotkin isn't a pay driver since he has enough ability to not be "out of his depth". Even Kubica had 8.000.000 euros in sponsor cash with him.
      If you compare that to someone who had maybe 4.000.000 and more ability, you could even call Kubica a pay driver.
      It is all a matter of perspective.

      • + 0
      • Feb 5 2018 - 14:57
    • Harryw

      Posts: 107

      Look at his record. He doesn’t have elite F1 ability. What got him his seat is Russian money and politics. Putin wants a driver to showcase at Russian GP. Russia is the master at information warfare. Telling everyone he has ability will change perception. Even if it’s bollocks.

      • + 0
      • Feb 7 2018 - 08:50
  • Prove us all wrong. I'd be very happy if it turns out Sirotkin actually deserved that seat

    • + 0
    • Feb 5 2018 - 16:02
    • s_ya

      Posts: 21

      Support. If you can't ride, can't go anywhere. Even with the finances.

      • + 0
      • Feb 5 2018 - 18:39
  • Barron

    Posts: 625

    Oh, ooops. Clicked on this by mistake. I was sure it said ‘Gay Driver’. Perhaps I should have gone to Specsavers.

    • + 0
    • Feb 6 2018 - 11:54

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