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The problem is that he's been out of it for so long, you can't just jump back in. You still need lots of testing and they can't do the amount they used to like when getting Villenueve ready for F1. There's only so much the sims can prepare you for.

Being reserve is better for him at this point.

Williams have made the right choice IMO.

Someone decent for the future. Kubica is not the man for the seat.

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I really truly thought that Williams in 2014 was on the rise again, a half decent car, best engine, driver in Bottas who was a star in the making. To see Bottas kinda become the new Kimi circa 2014 - present is pretty disappointing, but it is even sadder seeing Williams just go south when they should have been up challenging again.

While I think Kubica was a great story, I can't help but feel injury and time have taken F1 away from him. I mean, loosing out to Sirotkin isn't saying much is it. Yes yes, Sirotkin has the money but by being way faster than him would have negated that.

I hope i am proven wrong, but I can see Williams lagging around the back of the grid, with maybe a one off good performance like in Baku last year.

2 pay drivers? Is Williams doing ok?

Where is all this money going?

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So, in roughly 20 years they'll be the dominant force? (in a way Mercedes = Tyrrell)

the fact is that Williams is getting away from the sport day by day and taking more a business approach, seeking a profitable operation instead of a winning team

like Patrick Head that walked away from the team and is now developing technology under the brand Williams

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I'm seeing a lot of sources suggesting that - money aside, obviously - Sirotkin was generally faster than Kubica on both short and long runs. I suspect we won't know for sure until the season starts, but if both drivers take part in pre-season testing then we should get a basic idea.

The performances of both drivers was widely reported following the Abu Dhabi test. They were both on different programs although had similar seat time. Kubica's long run pace was good and consistent, as was Sitokin's. However Sirotkin was marginally faster. Kubica's short run pace was ok and inconsistent, whereas Sirotkin was very good. The short run pace of Kubica can be improved with testing and practice. Williams couldn't ignore both Sirotkin's overall performance at the test and the money he is bringing to the team.

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Something that is been overlooked in the debate over Williams going with Sirotkin rather than Kubica & all the moaning about them going for the pay driver is that Kubica would have also taken a fair bit of funding with him & may well still be taking that to the team is his reserve driver role. I think the only driver Williams were looking at that didn't have backing behind him was Paul Di Resta who it seems many fans felt shouldn't be even considered for the drive.

People say they want drivers picked based on performance rather than money, Yet ignore that by most accounts Sirotkin looked faster than Kubica in the Abu Dhabi test which if true surely means Williams made the right choice.


I saw a quote from Karun Chandhok earlier which I think sums my feelings up which was basically that you have to look at Robert's performance now rather than his performance from the past.

In 2010 Robert was one of the best drivers on the grid, A driver capable of race wins & in the right circumstances a championship. In 2018 it seems clear he isn't at that level anymore & putting him in the car hoping that maybe he could possibly get back to where he was isn't fair on anybody.

Doing reserve driver duties this year & getting practice running he has a chance to show everyone what he's capable of now & if he's able to show he's still capable of what everyone wants him to be then it puts him in a better position for a race drive in the future.

Kubica will never be at the level he was. If he wants to race, go sportscars or touring cars.

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"Many people ask me why I always sign off Till We Meet Again, because goodbye is always so final. Goodbye Dan Wheldon." -Marty Reid

I'd forgotten how great Raikkonen's overtake on Fisichella was, don't see many overtakes on the outside at the first corner of Suzuka.

https://youtu.be/VLDwqqbJZSs

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I've also read that Kubica didn't handle the (new) Pirelli tyres very well. I'm really disappointed he didn't get the seat but if Sirotkin was better then I respect Williams for choosing with it's head instead of it's heart.

Much as they are being slated for the decision, I really think they've come out with the best result on all fronts. There aren't many drivers available that could fit their needs, but they've ended up with a driver who brings a fairly decent resume and useful cash, and have Kubica tied into a programme which should give him the experience he probably needs with the new tyres and will show if he is a prospect for 2019 and beyond.



Autosport are reporting that Kubica, Sirotkin di Resta and Kvyat were all able to offer around 8m GBP. After the speed started to look like the main factor, and di Resta and Kvyat were eliminated, Sirotkin's backers were able to bump it up to 15m in order to 'help the deal over the line'.

No, in his current role, he will be paid by Williams. He doesn't bring any money.


Basic thing is that Kubica couldn't handle super soft tyres. Sirotkin had had this experience being a Renault 3rd driver. If he gets friday practice sessions, he will have time to learn them more.

McLaren and Toro Rosso have joined Ferrari in actually launching cars for 2018. I have updated the first post.

Ah, Mercedes are trolling Ferrari by launching on the same day.

aren't these car launches much later compared to previous years?

They have had problems with the halo.

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