Sirotkin set to keep Renault role despite Vasseur exit
Sergey Sirotkin's role with the Renault F1 outfit will not be affected by the off-season exit of team principal Frederic Vasseur, SMP Racing boss Boris Rotenberg has assured.
Sirotkin, who is backed by SMP, joined the Renault programme in early 2016 - and then-team boss Vasseur made it clear at the end of the season that he wanted to keep the Russian on Renault's books and give him more F1 mileage.
Vasseur's exit at the start of this year subsequently created some uncertainty over Renault's plans for Sirotkin, but SMP Racing has now clarified it had been assured the partnership will continue.
At Wednesday's SMP Racing press conference in Moscow, Rotenberg expanded on Sirotkin's situation when queried about it by Motorsport.com.
"His programme is not changing - it's just that in Renault there was a change of the head of the [F1] programme, but for him everything will remain as is.
"We're planning that it'll go on the same way - and we'll announce the specifics of his Formula 1 programme in a separate presentation.
"Regarding Vasseur - we met him, had talks. Now we will have a meeting with the new Renault chief.
"Vasseur himself confirmed that nothing would be changing in our relationship with Renault, but we still have to see the [new] boss and make sure the terms remain the same as had been agreed."
Sirotkin, who finished third in GP2 in 2015 and 2016, is also to take on simulator work for SMP and Dallara's WEC LMP1-L project, which is being readied for a 2018 race debut.
Share Or Save This Story
WTCR's April opener cancelled due to coronavirus
Australian GP issues update on nine F1 paddock coronavirus tests
Motorsport Games unveils 15 disciplines for 2020
Sirotkin to stay as Renault F1 reserve in 2020
Sirotkin replaces stranded Lundgaard for F2 testing
Sirotkin: F1 exit more painful now than before
“I went back to the car and cried” – Esteban Ocon opens up about his unexpected year on F1 sidelines
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
On this day: Michael Schumacher’s final unsportsmanlike manoeuvre
Title hopes over, Gounon injured: Why did Nicki Thiim lose control?
Who is racing Max Verstappen in "Max vs 100"? Entry list revealed
Penske boss on Estre probation: "IMSA is just trying to make an example"
F1 Azerbaijan GP is on a Saturday in 2026, here's why
Why Lando Norris doesn’t buy George Russell’s driving style theory
How Kimi Antonelli is proving unbeatable, even when he's beaten
How Norris unfurled a surprising - and "unrepeatable" - Spanish GP pole lap
Audi’s long road back to the top of grand prix racing
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments