Sirotkin set for World Endurance Championship drive with SMP Racing

Sergey Sirotkin will be driving for SMP Racing in 2019 in the World Endurance Championship. Sirotkin will be a part of the number 17 team for the remaining three races of the 2018/19 WEC Super Season which includes the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The Russian was dumped by Williams after a difficult rookie season with the underperforming FW41. Having been replaced at the team by Robert Kubica, SMP Racing withdrew their funding to the Williams team and have instead found him a drive elsewhere.

Speaking about the opportunity, Sirotkin said he was proud to be representing a Russian team and was looking forward to his future in the World Endurance Championship.

“I am very glad that I have the honour of defending the colours of the Russian flag on the Russian prototype as part of the Russian SMP Racing team in the World Endurance Championship.

"We have outstanding line-ups and excellent cars, with which, I am sure, we will be able to fight for the win, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

Compatriot and former Renault and Lotus F1 driver Vitaly Petrov added that he was excited at the prospect of Sirotkin joining the SMP Racing squad and the former Williams driver was having no issues at all getting up to speed with his new team.

“I’m very glad that Sergey will continue to drive with us. He did tests on this car, so he is familiar with it. Today, the car is much better and faster that is why I think he will not have any difficulties, and even if there is a problem, we will always help.”

Sirotkin's first race behind the wheel will be the 1000 miles of Sebring on March 17th.