Sochi demo run for Sauber's Sirotkin

21 Aug 2013

Russian Sauber hopeful Sergey Sirotkin will make his Formula One debut next month at a demonstration event to be held at his home country’s new Sochi circuit. Sirotkin, 17, is being prepared as a 2014 race driver by Sauber as part of a deal with Russian backers.

Sirotkin paid a two-day visit to the team’s Swiss base this week to have a closer look at and gain more understanding of Formula One technology, including a lesson on how an F1 steering wheel works. He also had a seat fitting before his September 27 demo run was announced.

“My visit to the Sauber F1 Team headquarters was busy,” he said. “I learned a lot about the team and many other things. I met the engineers and learned about the car and what happens over a race weekend.

“I am happy because, if you had told me six months ago that one day I would visit this workshop and meet this team, I would have never believed you. It’s great. The dream is so close to becoming reality now.”

Monisha Kaltenborn, Sauber team principal, added: "We are proud to be doing the demo run next month. It will be a historical moment when a Russian driver drives a Formula One car for the first time at the track in Sochi.”

Sirotkin, who won the Italian-based Formula Abarth title in 2011, currently competes in the World Series by Renault championship and scored his first podium finish earlier this year.

For tickets and travel to 2013 FORMULA 1 races, click here.

For FORMULA 1 merchandise, click here.