Sergey Sirotkin Tag

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Williams became the second Formula One team to showcase images of its 2018 car, with the launching of the FW41. The newest challenger has substantial changes to the 2017 version – FW40 – with updated sidepods, barge board and sleeker engine cover. Overall, the new aerodynamic focus is one that brings hope to challenge the likes of Force India and Red Bull Racing in the constructor’s standings, having finished fifth last season. The full team release can be seen below. — WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING has revealedRead More

By Aaron Bearden, Contributing Writer He may not have won the second seat at Williams Martini Racing, but Robert Kubica will still be behind the wheel for the team in 2018. Williams announced Tuesday the addition of Kubica as a reserve and development driver, signaling that the Pole will participate with the team in testing sessions – including the upcoming Barcelona pre-season testing – as well as occasional practice sessions during race weekends. “I am delighted to announce that Robert will be joining Williams as our Reserve and Development DriverRead More

By Aaron Bearden, Contributing Writer With the FIA Formula One World Championship season just two months away, Williams Martini Racing has finally announced the driver that will join sophomore Lance Stroll to complete their 2018 lineup. The team announced Tuesday that Sergey Sirotkin will be their replacement for the retired Felipe Massa, noting that the 22-year-old’s performance in the FW40 as part of last year’s Abu Dhabi Pirelli tyre test impressed the organization and ultimately earned him the ride. “We have conducted a rigorous and exhaustive driver evaluation process,” ChiefRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Sebastian Vettel topped the timesheets for the Pirelli tire test at Yas Marina Circuit on Wednesday. The final time Formula 1 cars will be on track for 2017, Vettel concluded the day with a time of 1 minute, 37.551 seconds on the new hypersoft tire compound at the 3.451-mile, 21-turn track. The early part of the day was halted by the four-time champion as his Ferrari stopped on track to bring out a red flag briefly before resuming. Mercedes rival Valtteri Bottas, who also won theRead More

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor With the rumors swirling around McLaren-Honda like vultures, Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg has gone on record saying he would welcome Fernando Alonso back to Renault should the two-time World Champ leave McLaren at season’s end. Speaking to Speed Week ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, the German driver was very excited at the possibility of Alonso considering a Renault return. “I think it would be great,” said Hulkenberg. “It would be great not only for the whole team, but for me as well to compete with one ofRead More

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor Robert Kubica has completed his first Formula 1 test in six years. The 2008 Canadian Grand Prix winner had an incredibly bright F1 future curtailed in February 2011 after crashing his Skoda Fabia rally car in the Ronde di Andora. The accident left Kubica’s arms and hands severely injured and put an immediate end to his single seater career. After intensive rehabilitation he was able to recover and went on to compete in various World Rally Championship and sports car races in the years that followed. RecentlyRead More

Mercedes set the pace in the opening session of practice for the Spanish Grand Prix, with the three-time champion finishing almost a second clear of third-placed Kimi Räikkönen of Ferrari. Defending Constructors’ champions Mercedes have brought a heavily revised car to the first of the 2017 season’s traditional European races and at the end of the first session the gap to the team’s rivals at the end of the first session was significant, with Räikkönen finishing 0.935s adrift of second-placed Valtteri Bottas. Sebastian Vettel was fourth for Ferrari, just overRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Renault Sport F1 Team became the third squad to reveal its 2017 Formula 1 car – the RS17. The launch came at an event in London with the team also officially introducing race drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Jolyon Palmer, and test driver Sergei Sorotkin. Having finished ninth in the constructors’ standings last season, Renault Sport president Jerome Stoll set the target for fifth place for the upcoming season. “The RS17 is the first car which Enstone and Viry (Renault’s UK and French F1 bases) have beenRead More

Lewis Hamilton went quickest in opening practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix, outpacing Red Bull Racing rival Max Verstappen by less than one tenth of a second. Third place went to Nico Rosberg, who could this weekend wrap up the Drivers’ Championship title if he outscores Hamilton by seven points. All three set their fastest times on the soft compound Pirelli, with Hamilton rising to the top with a lap of 1:11.895, 0.096 ahead of Verstappen. Rosberg finished the session 0.230s adrift of title rival Hamilton, with Daniel Ricciardo aRead More