Sergey Sirotkin New Favourite for Williams Seat

Robert Kubica’s fairytale return to Formula One has speared into a massive roadblock. That roadblock comes in the form of Russian driver Sergey Sirotkin. The Pole had raced 76 times in F1 between 2006 and 2010. A horrific rally crash in February 2011 left him with life-threatening injuries. A crash barrier went through the cockpit of the Pole’s rally specification Skoda Fabia and pinned him for more than an hour. This left him with a partially amputated forearm as well as compound fractures to his leg, elbow and shoulder. The 33-year-old still has problems rotating his right wrist properly but proved in a Renault test earlier this year that he still has the ability to operate an F1 car.

However, the team opted to replace Jolyon Palmer with Carlos Sainz Jr. This meant that Kubica and Renault reserve driver Sirotkin were left on the lurch. Now, sources claim that Williams stand to gain as much as £11.2million in guaranteed sponsorship if they plump for Sergey Sirotkin.

Russia, who organise the Grand Prix in Sochi, are thought to be desperate not to be without a driver on the grid after Daniil Kvyat was dropped by Toro Rosso.

But Kubica’s only silver lining is that he produced faster times that the Russian in the Williams. The pair participated in a two-day in Abu Dhabi at the end of last month following the Grand Prix.

A number of drivers who raced with Kubica have been quick to praise his sheer pace. Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton is one of his admirers. Hamilton said, “Robert’s one of the quickest drivers I have raced against.  He’s one of the best drivers I have driven against. If he was still racing today he would be up there in contention for the world title if not would have one.  Just raw, natural talent which in the sport, I think it’s a shame we do not have him with us.”