Williams expects to have Sirotkin "for many years"

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