Sergey Sirotkin hits out at 'pay driver' label
- Published on 05 Feb 2018 11:19
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Sergey Sirotkin says he is ignoring those who call him a 'pay driver'. Some, including sections of the media, say the Russian secured Williams' second seat for 2018 thanks to the millions brought to the team by SMP Bank. "I do not pay attention to names like 'pay driver'," Sirotkin told Russian radio Sport FM.
Criticising the media who repeat the label, the 22-year-old added: "People write things but where do they get the information from? If you know something and can confirm it with facts, then please do," he said.
Sirotkin also offered his opinion about the banning of grid girls, insisting his focus is elsewhere. "When you sit on the grid, you're not thinking about the girls," he said.
"If I had not been told about this news then I would not have even noticed. I can understand the position of both the opponents and the supporters of this decision, but I look at it from the professional point of view -- that it does not affect the drivers in any way," Sirotkin added. (GMM)
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Replies (6)
Login to replyJutlandia
Posts: 191
SMP Bank has payed Williams in order to get you a seat, dumb @ss.
I think it's general failure with russians, if you deny it enough, you start belive it's the truth.
xoya
Posts: 583
Every driver brings sponsors along. No one gets "there" on talent alone.
Some drivers bring more sponsors than the others and that's fine.
What defines a true pay driver is a total lack of ability and having only the "money aspect".
Sirotkin isn't a pay driver since he has enough ability to not be "out of his depth". Even Kubica had 8.000.000 euros in sponsor cash with him.
If you compare that to someone who had maybe 4.000.000 and more ability, you could even call Kubica a pay driver.
It is all a matter of perspective.
Harryw
Posts: 107
Look at his record. He doesn’t have elite F1 ability. What got him his seat is Russian money and politics. Putin wants a driver to showcase at Russian GP. Russia is the master at information warfare. Telling everyone he has ability will change perception. Even if it’s bollocks.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Prove us all wrong. I'd be very happy if it turns out Sirotkin actually deserved that seat
s_ya
Posts: 21
Support. If you can't ride, can't go anywhere. Even with the finances.
Barron
Posts: 625
Oh, ooops. Clicked on this by mistake. I was sure it said ‘Gay Driver’. Perhaps I should have gone to Specsavers.