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'Williams lineup more an investment than a gamble'

  • Published on 31 Jan 2018 10:39
  • 3
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Paddy Lowe says Williams' 2018 driver lineup is an "investment" rather than a "gamble". The British team has been criticised for choosing the well-sponsored Russian rookie Sergey Sirotkin instead of Robert Kubica.

He will be paired with the regularly-criticised Lance Stroll, who is also often referred to as a 'pay driver'. Their combined age is 41, making it easiest the youngest driver lineup on the F1 grid.

Defending the decision to sign Sirotkin, who is backed by the Russian banking billionaire Boris Rotenberg, Williams technical boss and shareholder Paddy Lowe said: "We chose him as the best driver available to us. We are sure that he will be very fast, consistent and calm in his work," Lowe told Russia's Sportbox.

As for whether Sirotkin-Stroll really is the best possible Williams driver combination, Lowe responded: "I would not compare it to gambling. We understand that there are some disadvantages, but at the same time we're making an investment. A young driver is an investment in a long-term future and a long-term success that can come to the driver and the team. We prefer to see a rising star in Sergey and hope to work with him for long-term and joint success," he added. (GMM)

F1 News Sergey Sirotkin Lance Stroll Williams

Replies (3)

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  • reg

    Posts: 162

    Yes - an investment by the drivers and their sponsors to remove the gamble for Williams if they fail to produce a decent package this year!

    • + 0
    • Jan 31 2018 - 11:29
  • ajpennypacker

    Posts: 2,475

    I absolutely agree, a business investment. Not a racing one. With Russian money, they don't even have to perform on track to collect. But again, that's been Williams strategy for the better part of a decade. Mediocrity on track is by design.

    • + 0
    • Jan 31 2018 - 18:45
  • Harryw

    Posts: 107

    I’ve stopped my support for Williams. Fuck them.

    • + 0
    • Feb 2 2018 - 16:05

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