Williams defends Sirotkin appointment...again

Williams chief Claire Williams has once again defended the selection of Sergey Sirotkin as their second driver for the 2018 Formula One season alongside Lance Stroll, and insisted that if the team has any doubts about the Russian they would not have employed him.

When Felipe Massa announced his retirement for after the 2017 campaign, Williams started a recruitment drive for their second seat for the 2018 season, and Sirotkin was eventually selected despite his lack of experience.

The team came under criticism for the decision, with some figures in the sport and fans suggesting the Russian was only chosen because of the significant financial backing he would bring with him.

However, Claire Williams has insisted he was the correct choice.

"We have been giving young talent a chance for a few years now and have always done well with it," she told Auto Motor und Sport.

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"I can assure you that if we had the slightest doubt, we would not have taken him.

"Lance [Stroll] was not given any credit and then he got 40 points and was the only driver outside the top three teams to make it to the podium, He is one of the talents who have been developing very well but quietly."

This opinion was echoed by Williams engineer, Paddy Lowe, who said that Sirotkin came out on top in terms of facts and figures ahead of the rest,

"We spent a lot of time analysing the drivers, and the data decided," Lowe claimed.

"And believe me, the people who analysed the data did not know who's bringing in what amount of money."