Sirotkin expects further GP practice call-ups

ByAutoSport

Published 29/04/2016 at 12:36 GMT

Renault test driver Sergey Sirotkin says he will take part in more Friday Formula 1 practice sessions this season after fulfilling the duties at Sochi.

Eurosport

Image credit: Eurosport

The Russian was announced in the role on Tuesday as part of a long-term development deal, with Renault saying he would drive in the opening Russian Grand Prix session in place of Kevin Magnussen.

He impressed on Friday morning at the Sochi Autodrom, setting the 13th fastest time to finish seven tenths clear of team-mate Jolyon Palmer.

Sirotkin confirmed he would be back in the car later this season during a grand prix weekend and also testing, which takes place at Barcelona and Silverstone after those circuits' F1 races.

Bahrain Grand Prix

Hamilton describes shock Ferrari move as 'hardest decision I've ever had to make'

23/02/2024 at 15:35

"I'm not sure I can tell you the number [of practice appearances]," he said. "It will be more than one.

"You will see me in testing and so on."

Sirotkin, who also drove in Russian GP practice for Sauber in 2014, said he was pleased with his performance and was a little surprised by his pace relative to Palmer.

"The lap was very good compared to the team-mate but that was not really the target," he said.

"Obviously it's good that on the same strategy, same conditions, I was quicker.

"But to be honest, it's a bit of a surprise as I did my fastest time on the last lap and the conditions were not really the best.

"The tyres were not new at the beginning of the run but that was the last lap of the run, when I pushed slightly more.

"I was not pushing on the limit, I did not even put all my best sectors together due to the tyre degradation.

"The important thing was to do the right test, get the right information from it and we perfectly did it.

"We had something to work on during the session, with the tyres and the track, and it's good because we found some solutions."

Sirotkin's main campaign for 2016 is a second year of GP2, where he has joined multiple title-winning team ART.

Formula 1

Verstappen says Hamilton could face 'awkward, weird' last season with Mercedes

15/02/2024 at 23:54

Formula 1

'It is very surreal' - Hamilton reflects on Mercedes career ahead of Ferrari switch

00:00:54

14/02/2024 at 17:31

Season 2024

'Emotional' Hamilton determined for success ahead of Ferrari move as Mercedes launch new car

14/02/2024 at 17:32

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me