Sergey Sirotkin has denied his future at Sauber is being overshadowed by the Swiss female driver Simona de Silvestro.<\/p>\n
Funded by her wealthy backers, de Silvestro – who also ran at Fiorano in April – returned to track action this week in a 2012 Sauber at the Valencia circuit, Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo reports.<\/p>\n
But, earlier, Russian teen Sirotkin seemed more destined for Sauber’s affections, closely aligned with the reported ‘Russian rescue deal’ that last year reportedly rescued the then ailing Hinwil based team.<\/p>\n
Since then, however, Sirotkin’s involvement went decidedly quiet.<\/p>\n
In fact, it is now rumoured that Sauber’s saviour was in fact not Sirotkin’s backers, but Bernie Ecclestone, who stepped in and paid all of the team’s outstanding debts.<\/p>\n
“I cannot do it and I would not do it,” the F1 chief executive said in a firm denial to the Swiss newspaper Blick.<\/p>\n
At the same time, Sirotkin has admitted he is currently much more focused on his seat in the Formula Renault 3.5 series.<\/p>\n
“I have always said that I was giving priority to nothing that could complicate my task or hinder my performance in this championship,” he told the Russian website f1news.ru.<\/p>\n
“This may give the impression of a lull, but in fact I am in constant contact with the team (Sauber),” Sirotkin insisted.<\/p>\n
“Some steps have already been decided, and others I cannot speak about until Sauber makes a statement.\u00a0 In any case, it makes no sense to talk about it because I am fully engaged in the World Series.”<\/p>\n
Sirotkin’s participation in Friday practice before his home Russian grand prix was earlier believed to be part of his 2014 programme, but now the driver is not so sure.<\/p>\n
“Actually I was supposed to participate in free practice not only in Sochi,” he said.\u00a0 “It’s an open question.<\/p>\n
“Obviously, in terms of marketing, public interest and so on, the logical thing would be Sochi, but I cannot say yet whether it will happen in Sochi or somewhere else.”<\/p>\n
And what about de Silvestro?\u00a0 While the Sirotkin story has gone quiet, de Silvestro is actively testing, giving the impression Sauber’s priorities have moved on.<\/p>\n
Sirotkin insisted: “Sauber have a third driver, Giedo van der Garde, there is a test pilot, me, and a mentored driver (de Silvestro), who they are trying to help to reach the level of formula one.”<\/p>\n
Referring to de Silvestro’s programme, Sirotkin added: “In my opinion, this is more of a marketing ploy, so I don’t think I need to be afraid of it.<\/p>\n
“Let’s see what will happen next.”<\/p>\n
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