Portrait. Sergey Sirotkin, an elusive pilot

For his entry among those engaged in Formula 1, Sergey sirotkin (Williams, 22 years old) does not have an optimal environment. To the numerous criticisms addressed by motorsport fans to his appointment, were added realistic and even worrying comments regarding to the behavior of his car, the Williams FW41, during winter testing in Barcelona (Spain).

While he must very quickly assert himself against a younger teammate (19 years old) but with one season of experience in F1 (Lance stroll, a podium), Sergey Sirotkin will have to forget his label as a paying driver from the start in Melbourne (Australia, March 23-25). However, this would mean forgetting the man's driving qualities, such as CARhebdo recalls this in his F1 Guide, still available on newsstands and on the online store.

CARhebdo collected the impressions of Mika salo, the sports director of the SMP program (Moscow bank founded in 2001), which incubated the young Russian in promotional formulas. “It’s unfounded and totally unfair what people say about him. The guy was highly recommended by Renault where his passage was appreciated. Good top speed, good technical feedback, good team player, good spirit, it is difficult to find negative points, assures the former Sauber driver and Toyota in F1. If it had only been the budget, it would not have been taken. »

Conversely, Frédéric Vasseur does not have fond memories of Sergey Sirotkin when he joined the ranks of ART Grand Prix in the GP2 Series in 2016, before hiring him as a Renault test driver. “He twice finished 3rd in GP2. After, it is quite fragile. It had been great over the winter. Then the machine jammed. In Barcelona, ​​while he was in the lead, he veered into turn 2 where no one had ever gone out! »

“In Monaco, he is in the lead again, and he goes out again. At Spielberg, he took pole but did not stop at the red light and received a penalty. Despite everything, he is on the podium at the end of the championship”, analyzes the boss ofAlfa Romeo Sauber.

>>> Discover the complete portrait of Sergey Sirotkin in the F1 AUTO Guidehebdo of 132 pages, on sale on newsstands and on our digital kiosk. <<