Sirotkin: 2018 won't be extraordinary

Formula 1 newcomer Sergey Sirotkin is hoping to ease his way into the 2018 season at Williams. The Russian was the surprise choice to replace the retiring Felipe Massa at the Grove squad, with Robert Kubica overlooked and named test and reserve driver instead.

Sirotkin, Kubica and Lance Stroll all got their hands on the FW41 in Barcelona last week.

Kubica's best time, set on the second day of running, was four tenths ahead of Sirotkin's quickest lap.

The Russian's appointment at Williams has seen the debate over "pay" drivers return to F1 - Sirotkin is reported to have brought $10million to his team.

Sirotkin finished third in the GP2 standings in both the 2015 and 2016 seasons and says he is well aware of his strengths and weaknesses, something he hopes will help him succeed at Williams.

"I know where my level is," Sirotkin said. "I know where my limitation is and I'm sure if I do my best it is exactly what the team needs and it is exactly what I want.

"Not to exaggerate, not to over impress or jump over my head or to do something extraordinary.

"I need to do the job I need to do and I know how to do. I believe it's enough.

"The more time you spend around [the team], the more days you do in the car, you get some experience and some knowledge and you get better overall.

"It doesn't mean that I wouldn’t have been ready a year, or two years, or three years ago - I do believe I would have managed quite well. But obviously I have been improving since then."