Renault ‘influence’ helped Sirotkin, Kubica to Williams F1 roles

Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul has given his blessing to former drivers Sergey Sirotkin and Robert Kubica after securing Formula 1 roles at Williams for 2018 and says it’s proof its driver development programme acts as a strong foundation.

Williams has formally confirmed its 2018 driver line-up with ex-Renault junior Sirotkin securing his F1 debut alongside Lance Stroll with Robert Kubica handed a reserve and development role at the British squad.

Speaking a day before the Williams announcement at the Renault Sport Academy launch, Abiteboul says a rival F1 team’s interest in its former drivers is a glowing reflection on the French manufacturer and has faith both Sirotkin and Kubica will impress in their new roles.

“If you think about the Williams situation we had some connection to the two possible options Robert and Sergey from 2017,” Abiteboul said. “I’m happy to see drivers we had connections with and those that we contributed to raising their profile and raising their skills which has created opportunities to drive for another team.

“For Sergey, it shows Renault can influence the life of a driver and then if they can make it into Formula 1 I will be extremely happy because we were very impressed as a team by his ability to understand the car and the dynamics of the car as well as developing the car as it was his role with testing opportunities. He certainly has the knowledge and in my opinion also the talent.

“For Robert, I hope he finds a programme that is adequate with his ambitions and his abilities.”

Sirotkin acted as Renault’s F1 reserve and test driver in 2017 while Kubica was a potential candidate for a 2018 F1 comeback with the French manufacturer. The former F1 race winner test a 2014-specifcation Renault before taking part in the in-season test in Hungary but the Polish driver was ultimately passed over with the team opting to take Carlos Sainz Jr on loan from Red Bull.