Sergey Sirotkin says he still “can’t believe” that he will not be racing in Formula 1 next season, following news that he has lost his seat.
Sirotkin stepped up to Formula 1 with Williams for 2018 but his campaign coincided with the team’s regression in form, slumping to last in the standings.
Sirotkin, who scored just one point courtesy of a top 10 finish in Italy, had repeatedly expressed his desire to stay at Williams for 2019.
But on Thursday Williams confirmed the much-anticipated news that Robert Kubica will return to a full-time drive and partner rookie and F2 champion elect George Russell.
It leaves Sirotkin without a drive for 2019.
“[It’s] definitely bad news for me,” said Sirotkin.
“I was informed from the team yesterday night that it’s happening, but already last week I had a few talks with [long-term backer] SMP Racing where I mean we analysed how the things are moving.
“Honestly I think it’s been quite obvious after those meetings that we don’t want to take part in it anymore.
“Already from the last week I kind of knew it was going to happen.
“I had a week to prepare myself. I couldn’t prepare myself yet, I still can’t believe it’s happening, so yeah, it is a tough moment for me.”
Sirotkin nonetheless emphasised that he and Williams had performed well through the course of 2018, given the limitations of its package.
“Sometimes it’s been even opposite from how you guys see on TV, sometimes the same,” he said of his displays.
“I would say realistically when you look at the season, when you know where you are, and where your base it, many people say ‘ah you had a bad race’.
“It’s not a bad race, that’s where we are, that’s realistically where we are.
“Then when you look at the things like this, we did P whatever with this, which is bad, but that’s the reality [of the situation], and if we do better than this, which is still a bad result, it turns around as a good race, and there’s been many occasions [like that].
“Again, as I said before, I honestly believe we did a good job this year considering the situation and how tough it’s been.”
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