Sergey Sirotkin believes his growing experience means he will be able to have a greater input across the second half of his rookie Formula 1 campaign with Williams.
Sirotkin’s graduation to the premier class coincided with Williams’ slump in form, the team struggling with a new design philosophy for its FW41, dropping from fifth to last in the standings, though has moved up to ninth courtesy of the Force India saga.
Sirotkin is the only driver on the grid yet to score a point this season – and has failed to complete a single racing lap within the top 10.
The Russian, though, reckons his experience from the opening half of a tricky year will prove beneficial across the remainder of the 2018 season.
“In terms of where we’re struggling at the moment there’s certain areas we first need to fully understand and then try to get over it,” he said.
“And I would say I can probably play a bit bigger role, like, in terms of myself in it.
“This is what we’ll try to do to make sure that even if we don’t have the quickest package every single time, me as a driver and as a team we do the absolutely best from what we have.
“Usually you say this when you stay for the second year once you’ve had some experience and you’re much better.
“But actually this summer break has divided it in this way as well.
“It’s still the first season but I already got some knowledge, let’s say, some understanding of the work and some experience and it will be good to kind of develop even more.”
Williams’ sole points finish of the season came courtesy of Lance Stroll classifying eighth in Azerbaijan in April.
