Rotenberg: Williams recruited Sirotkin for his sporting qualities

Last Tuesday, Williams Martini Racing ended the suspense for the choice of its second driver for the 2018 season. The Grove structure finally retained Sergey sirotkin to support Lance stroll, while the Pole Robert Kubica had at one time been expected.

The Russian was also able to count on significant financial support, who is supported in his career by SMP Racing, directed by Boris Rotenberg. The latter, however, recalls that the qualities of his protégé took precedence in the final decision.

“Money plays an important role, indicates Rotenberg, quoted by the TASS agency. However, Sirotkin arrived at Williams not because of money, but thanks to his sporting qualities. That's why Williams chose him. »

Boris Rotenberg also admits that the arrival of Sergey Sirotkin in F1 thus validates the efforts of SMP Racing to promote young Russian talents. “It’s an example to our young people that achieving your goals is possible. We have around 1500 pilots in karting in Russia, and they see today that getting to F1 is possible.

It's important that we signed a contract with Williams. It is a team that has done a lot for the development of motorsport, and is capable of competing with leaders like McLaren et Ferrari."

Sergey Sirotkin will replace Felipe Massa this season, who retired at the end of last year, and will allow Russia to keep a driver on the grid in 2018, after the end of Daniil Kvyat's adventure with Toro Rosso.

The old pilot Red Bull Racing has found refuge within Scuderia Ferrari, where he will evolve into the position of development driver.