Sirotkin's F1 future up to sponsors

Ex-Williams driver Sergey Sirotkin's Formula One future is very much dependent on his sponsors. The Russian was replaced at Williams by Robert Kubica and will not be on the grid in 2019 but hopes a return in the future is a possibility.

Although enduring a difficult season with Williams with a struggling and poorly developed FW41, Sirotkin did have an opportunity to race with Williams but ultimately his backers SMP Racing decided against funding a bid for the opportunity, allowing Kubica to take his place.

Mikhail Aleshin of Russia's SMP Bank admitted that the decision came after a refusal to fund further backing to give to Williams who the company perceived as a "weak team".

"The decision, naturally, will be made by the management of SMP Racing. Objectively, Sergey has great potential, but it is clear that it cannot be realised if you go with a weak team.

"Before the start of the season, no one thought Williams would be so bad. When that became clear, Sergey's only task was to stay ahead of his teammate.

"It was not easy for him, considering that his teammate had more experience. Nevertheless, he coped and proved that he would be able to do well with a good team."

Sirotkin's future is not yet set in stone but the Russian did complete a Formula E test with Mahindra recently after the Marrakesh E-Prix.