Sergey Sirotkin believes he can be ready for Formula 1 next season when he is very likely to secure a race seat at Sauber.
The 17-year-old is somewhat guaranteed the opportunity to join F1 in 2014 after several Russian companies, including one chaired by his father, invested in the Swiss outfit, saving it from the brink of collapse.
He would be the youngest driver in F1 history and, despite admitting he would like more time to prepare, he won’t be turning the opportunity down.
“The chance to be a Formula 1 driver is not something you can have every day,” he told Autosport. “OK, maybe spending one more year in World Series, I could be more ready, but after one more year maybe there is no chance for me to be a Formula 1 driver.
“I don’t think that someone in my place could say ‘No, I want to stay in World Series’.”
He is sure he can be ready, though admits his age is a concern.
“At the moment maybe I am a little bit too young but that doesn’t mean I cannot be ready. I have more than half a year to learn, I am doing a good preparation programme, and I can be ready. I don’t think it is going to be a big problem.”
