Pilot Sergey Sirotkin , carrying out in last season of function of the test pilot Renault and in parallel supporting the ART Grand Prix team in GP2, in interview to our correspondent Gushchina Nadezhda remembered how at the last minute took bronze, and also shared plans for next year.
— you the second season in a row become the bronze prize-winner of GP2. Whether there was a progress in last championship?
— Progress, of course, was, but the season turned out ambiguous. Unfortunately, right at the beginning there were my three silly mistakes. Then we did huge work and were beaten out in leaders of the championship, left a difficult situation of which, appear, it is simply impossible to get out. However then problems with electronics which we could not solve and which did not depend on team began. At stages to Belgium and Italy at us speed for some reason was gone both in races, and in qualification. Being in the lead in the middle of a season, we could not think in any way that we will not be able to remain up to the end at the same level, and not to miss nearly the third place — especially. Therefore if to speak about results, this season, of course, more became disappointment, but, on the other hand, that fact that we got out of the most difficult situations, forces to look at it positively. We, it is possible to tell, found psychological firmness. The few can brag of such interesting season.
— And you, and your rival in fight for bronze — the Italian Marchyello Raffaele from team <= "http://news.sportbox.ru/Vidy_sporta/Avtosport/Russkoe-vremya-Avtosport"> "The Russian time" — gathered a href as a result on 159 points. By bigger quantity of victories the third place was taken by you. Thus in the last race you and most should have gathered a large number of points, and to hope that the competitor not for works any point. With this race you were helped, as we know, also by a fast detour for which take two points. It was heavy to master emotions in such situation?
— Understood that I should reach to a podium and to try to show the best circle. If I do not show the best circle, it is necessary to win. At the very beginning of race I well started, having got out from the sixth on the second place. But to think constantly of all these nuances — it is very difficult. I periodically released and caught up with the leader with the purpose to show the best circle. In the middle of a distance tried to catch up with the leader that as a result affected tires. As a result lost even the second position, but it is good that showed the best circle. Then at all did not know that showed it. When finished, did not know also where Marchyello Raffaele go. Fortunately, for the third place in offset of pilots of it sufficed.
— That will be farther than p? With what series connect the future next year?
— Much while I cannot tell b. Now we with the founder of SMP Racing Boris Rotenberg are concentrated at negotiations on signing of the contract of the test pilot from Renault. Prospects good. We count on serious work simulators, in Friday practicians of "F-1", and also in strategic part. We are going to do all this with a view to a place of the fighting pilot in 2018. SMP Racing, ART and Dallara will build in common LMP1 prototype for participation in the World Cup in races on endurance (FIA WEC). I will take part in operational development and tests of the car. It is planned that this car will go to LMP1 in 2018.
— Where in 2017 will act as the fighting pilot? to
— By 2018 it becomes clear to b as we will have relations from Renault. Work from Renault and development of a race car of LMP1 will occupy the most part of my time therefore anywhere I will not act. Certainly, races will not suffice, but now it is necessary to concentrate on priorities. After all in Renault are interested in that I was constantly free for team.
to— What impression were left by last season of "royal races"?
— Acting in GP2, I not always had opportunity to watch the championship. I know a situation in Renault, but it, probably, does not suffice for a full picture. Surprised, of course, that the champion Niko Eric Rosberg at the moment of the triumph decided to finish career. With change of equipment next year I wait that in "F-1" there will come a new era. I expect that "Ferrari" and "Red Bull" will be tightened to "Mercedes".