Sirotkin gutted at Williams axe

Sergey Sirotkin says he is struggling to come to terms with losing his Formula 1 seat after Williams confirmed Robert Kubica as a 2019 race driver ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP. Sirotkin is likely to finish bottom of the drivers' standings for 2018, having amassed a solitary point with a race to go.

Williams' dismal campaign has hardly provided Sirotkin a helpful platform in his rookie F1 campaign, but there have been signs of progress – the Russian has outqualified Force India-bound teammate Lance Stroll over the campaign.

Sirotkin's backers SMP Racing claimed on Thursday that they had taken the decision to depart Williams, but the driver remains gutted to have lost his spot on the grid.

"I was informed from the team yesterday night that its happening, but already last week I had a few talks, a few meetings with SMP Racing," said Sirotkin.

"We analysed how things are moving, and I think it's been quite obvious after those meetings that we don't really want to take part in it anymore.

"So, already from the last week I kind of knew it's going to happen, I had the week to prepare myself.

"I could not prepare myself. I still can't believe it is happening. It is a tough moment for me.

"It is never one thing. It is always many, many things on top of each other, which made us think that way.

"As a racing driver, I didn't care about it all. All what I cared about is to be on the grid and, whatever the car is, just do the best job I can.

"I still had a strong trust inside that probably things will turn around, probably something will change, and it [losing the drive] won't happen.

"But nothing changed and it happened."

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