Sirotkin is said to have signed his contract with Sauber for 2014
Sergey Sirotkin could become the second Russian to take part in a Formula 1 Grand Prix, following Vitaly Petrov. The young man has reportedly signed a contract as a main driver with the Sauber team for the next season.
Just over a month ago, the Sauber team – struggling with financial problems – announced the arrival of Russian partners. In the statement released by the Swiss team at the time, there was no doubt that this capital injection was linked to Sergey Sirotkin’s appointment in 2014.
The partnership includes other activities to promote the Sochi Grand Prix in 2014 and to attract talented young Russians to motorsports. In particular, a development program will be implemented for the Russian driver Sergey Sirotkin to prepare him to be a main driver for the team in 2014, explained the statement released by Sauber.
Subsequently, the future in F1 of the young Russian, who will turn 18 on August 27, was more uncertain – notably due to his young age but especially his inexperience in F1. But a few days ago, he went to Hinwil to the headquarters of the Sauber team, notably to prepare for a future roadshow in Sochi – which is set to host the first Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix next year.
Besides this demonstration, the Russian could also drive an old Sauber to accumulate miles for the super license or go to Maranello to drive in the Ferrari simulator to prepare for 2014 because according to the German publication Der Spiegel and the Austrian publication Osterreich, Sergey Sirotkin would indeed be a full-time driver for the Sauber team in 2014. The Russian reportedly signed his contract recently.
He even celebrated it on the Russian social network Vkontakte this Friday: « I am a Sauber Formula 1 driver for 2014! Thank you all for your congratulations. »
It now remains to be seen who will accompany him, and Monisha Kaltenborn, the head of the Sauber team, stated that the Swiss team has not yet decided whether it will be Nico Hülkenberg—rumored to join Ferrari if Massa is not extended or Lotus—or Esteban Gutiérrez.
