Sirotkin backer claims it is 'a pure lie' the Russian was selected based on money

Sergey Sirotkin's financial backer Boris Rotenberg has vehemently denied accusations that the driver was selected by Williams for their second seat for the Formula One season based on money given to the team rather than talent and merit, insisting these claims are 'a pure lie'.

Following the news that Felipe Massa would retire in the summer, Williams were forced to find a new driver to partner Lance Stroll for the 2018 campaign.

The selection process came down to Sirotkin and Robert Kubica, who had been aiming to make a miraculous comeback in the sport after suffering a career-threatening injury in a rally car accident a few years ago. Eventually, the former was chosen and many figures in the sport have accused Williams of accepting support money from Sirotkin's backers rather than going for the more experienced Polish driver.

Rotenberg disputes this, but did admit his SMP bank provided funds to the team for development purposes.

"He [Sirotkin] was faster than Kubica," Rotenberg told Fontanka.

"That is for those people who say he bought a place for himself. That is a pure lie. The boy has been working for this for five years since he joined the programme. Finance cannot play the decisive role.

"Naturally there are costs. Motor sport is not cheap. It is not a toy for me to amuse myself."

Sirotkin has joined a team with Stroll, who has a father who provides significant financial backing to the team also, but Rotenberg does not foresee there being a power struggle within the Williams ranks between the money men.

"I don't think so," he admitted.

"It is clear that although they are one team, on the track it is every man for himself. I have told him that every race should be regarded as his last, even if we will be there helping to make the Williams car go faster."