{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Formula One Grand Prix in Sochi

SMP Racing chief says never paid F1 Team Williams for taking Russia’s Sirotkin on board

Russian tycoon said Sirotkin is currently one of the fastest racers in Russia

Sergey Sirotkin Sergei Bobylyov/TASS

Sergey Sirotkin

© Sergei Bobylyov/TASS

MOSCOW, January 19. /TASS/. SMP Racing company did not pay FIA Formula One’s Williams for taking Russia’s Sergey Sirotkin as a team’s driver for this year’s FIA F1 World Championship, SMP Racing founder and chief Boris Rotenberg said on Friday.

Team Williams announced on Tuesday that it signed a contract with Russia’s Sergey Sirotkin to pilot one of its cars in the upcoming season. The 22-year-old Russian partnered Canada’s Lance Stroll, 19, in Williams. The contract with Sirotkin, who is a driver from the SMP Racing program on the development of the Russian auto racing sport, has been signed for the period of one season.

"Money plays an important role," Rotenberg said. "However, Sirotkin ended up there [in Williams] not because of money, but due to his sports qualities. This is why I think Williams took him. We, on our part, prefer to invest into technologies."

Read also

Russian racer signs contract with Williams for 2018 Formula One season

Russian tycoon Rotenberg said Sirotkin is currently one of the fastest racers in Russia.

"This is great and this is an example for young pilots of our program that achieving success is possible," he said. "We have over 1,500 carting racers across Russia and they see now that it is possible to make way to Formula One."

"This is very important that we signed a contract with Williams," Rotenberg told journalists.

Read also

"This is the team, which did a lot for the development of automobile racing sport and is capable of competing with leaders such as McLaren and Ferrari."

Sirotkin is the third Russian driver to enter the world of F1 racing. The first Russian racer in Formula One was Vitaly Petrov, who made his debut in 2010. Another Russian driver, Daniil Kvyat, raced for teams Red Bull and Toro Rosso at different times between 2014 and 2017 and most recently signed a contract with Team Ferrari to become a development driver.

The 2018 FIA Formula One Championship includes 21 races and begins with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 23-25. The final Grand Prix of the upcoming season will be held in Abu Dhabi on November 23-25.

Tags

International Cycling Union grants neutral status to 52 Russian cyclists

Last month, the UCI refused to grant the neutral-status participation to four Russian cycling racers, namely Alexey Obydennov, Anastasiya Voinova, Maria Novolodskaya and Danila Burlakov

US seeking to throw Balts, Poles, Germans, French ‘into fire of war’ — Medvedchuk

"They are clearing the way for this, since the Ukrainians are running out while the scheme of turning their deaths into America’s profits is waiting for new victims," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Ukrainians to reunify with Russia in ten years — Medvedchuk

Ukraine is "genetically linked with Russia," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Turkey to continue efforts for Black Sea to remain calm — defense minister

Turkey strictly complies with the Montreux Convention by not allowing warships into the Black Sea

Kremlin slams Macron's statement about possible sending troops to Ukraine 'very dangerous'

On May 2, the French President named in an interview two conditions for sending troops to Ukraine: Kiev's request and Russia's breakthrough on the front line

US confirms Russian troops enter US base in Niger

News of the Russian deployment to the airbase follows after Niger’s military rulers told Washington in March that it must withdraw the nearly 1,000 US military personnel stationed in the country

Cocoa beans prices plummeting on mercantile exchanges

The price weakening process has started recently because many companies halted procurements, the experts said

Russia puts former Ukrainian finance minister, national bank chief on wanted list

Charges against them were not specified in the ministry’s database

French president doesn’t rule out sending troops to Ukraine if Russia breaks front lines

Emmanuel Macron pointed out that "many countries understood" Paris’s approach and agreed "that this position was a good thing"

EU eyeing response to Russian decision on assets of Italian, German companies

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree earlier, whereby 100% of participation interests in the Russian entity of Ariston and the Russian entity of BSH Hausgerate are transferred to be managed by Gazprom Butovye Systemy company

Zelenodolsk shipyard to float missile, patrol ships on May 7

Project 22800 ships with Kalibr missiles are brown-water multirole missile-artillery boats designed to destroy surface warships and boats and repel air attacks

Ukrainian politician names those behind Odessa tragedy in interview with TASS

Viktor Medvedchuk pointed out that in a premeditated act of intimidation, the Kiev regime led by then acting Ukrainian President Alexander Turchinov burned people alive inside Odessa’s Trade Union House

Latvia digging anti-tank ditches on border with Russia, Belarus — media

Kaspars Lazdins noted that once the ditches were ready, the so-called dragon’s teeth barriers would be set up on the border

Russian artillery wipes out Ukrainian field ammo depot near Avdeyevka

Artillery of the Battlegroup Center delivered a strike on the Ukrainian army’s field ammunition depot in the Krasnoarmeisk direction

Freedom of the press dying in West, any dissent snuffed out — MFA

The Russian Foreign Ministry also pointed to the "incessant arbitrariness committed by the Western authorities against the Russian media and journalists, who have fully felt the repressive machine of the neoliberal West"

Sweden approves Quran-burning rally ahead of Eurovision Song Contest

In Malmo, two pro-Palestinian demonstrations are planned for May 9 and 11

Ban on Russian uranium supplies to have negative effect on US economy — investor

"It will be very hard to replace such volumes within a very short period of time," Navigator Principal Investors CEO Kyle Shostak said

Hungarian politician sees US primed for continued Ukraine conflict

According to Balazs Orban, in this way the United States is trying "to weaken Russia," "stop German-Russian energy cooperation" and find new export markets for LNG

Forest fire sources growing twofold over day in Russia

More than 2,000 people, 440 vehicles and 14 aircraft are now engaged in firefighting

Military aid to Ukraine promises lucrative contracts for US industry — Orban

Italy to send latest package of military aid to Ukraine before G7 summit in June

According to the report, the aid package for Kiev, Italy's 9th, will include the delivery of a SAMP-T air defense system produced jointly with France

No decisions in EU to send troops ‘in a direct way into Ukraine’ — Latvia’s top diplomat

"Discussions take place all the time, but again, we only can talk when the decisions are made," Baiba Braze added

Ukraine deploys reserves due to challenging situation near Ocheretino

Nazar Voloshin conceded that Russia had "certain tactical success" in the area

Half of Avdeyevka’s territory cleared of explosives — newspaper

"We begin by talking to civilians and asking whether they came across anything unexploded," said the commander, identified by only his call sign Panda

Trinidad and Tobago recognizes State of Palestine

As of today, 141 out of the 193 UN member states, including Russia, recognize Palestine as an independent nation

Kiev troops face 'two-week difficult situation' near Chasov Yar in DPR — journalist

Kirill Sazonov noted that the situation is difficult for Ukrainian troops and especially dangerous on the flanks with roads leading to the city under constant fire

Orban sees Europe 'playing with fire' as it gets dragged in Ukraine conflict

"I am not saying that European leaders are marching toward a war but, every day, they are taking more steps in that direction," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned

Officials request aircraft to help put out fire in Moscow building

Two traffic police crews have also been asked to be dispatched to the scene

Exhibition of captured NATO military hardware kicks off in Moscow

In all, there are 32 items

Russia making incremental progress in special operation — US intelligence official

Avril Haines said the supplies accelerated a "reconstitution of Russia's military strength" after a "costly" start of the country’s special military operation

Around 40% of US voters see possibility of civil war in their country — survey

The survey also found that 37% of voters believe another civil war is more likely to happen if incumbent President Joe Biden is re-elected

Ukraine's intelligence recognizes impossibility of victory on battlefield

According to Vadim Skibitsky, "meaningful negotiations can begin only in the second half of 2025 at the earliest"

Russian users having full access to TikTok

TikTok halted streaming and posting of new videos in Russia on March 6, 2022

Car imports via Vladivostok returns to figures before last August

The geography of car imports by individuals remains the same - these are Japan and South Korea

Turkish ministry confirms halting trade with Israel

Turkey's trade sanctions will remain in force until Israel declares a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip

Donetsk official says Ukrainian troops left positions near Arkhangelskoye

Igor Kimakovsky also said Ukrainian troops suffered heavy losses at this section of the front

Latvia must name countries that allow Ukraine to hit Russia — MFA

In this way Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on a statement by the Latvian Foreign Ministry that Kiev had already received from some partners Western weapons with permission to use them for strikes on Russian territory

HAMAS leader in Gaza to reject deal with Israel without due guarantees — WSJ

According to the newspaper’s sources, Yahya Sinwar’s primary objective is to release hundreds or even thousands of Palestinians from Israeli prisons in exchange for hostages held by HAMAS

Turkey does not intend to transfer S-400 to any country — defense minister

Britain and Spain are not against the sale of fighter jets to Ankara, while Germany, as a member of the consortium that produces the Eurofighter, has not yet approved the deal

West attempts to bury Odessa tragedy — Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry's special envoy for the crimes of the Kiev regime Rodion Miroshnik noted that the regime of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will not conduct this investigation

Ukraine talks without Russia's participation not aimed at result — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Russia's position on the peace talks is well known

Gazprom posts net loss under IFRS for 2023 amounting to $6.8 bln

The group’s EBITDA amounted to $19 bln in 2023 against $44.9 bln in the previous year

Macron, despite statements, still hesitant to send troops to Ukraine — media

On May 2, in an interview the French leader named two conditions for sending troops to Ukraine: Kiev's request and Russia's breakthrough on the front line

Paris, London should reflect on need for tactical nuclear weapons — Macron

The French leader also emphasized that the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons was in the interests of the whole of Europe and the world

Unaware of decline of its military industry US gets trapped in Ukraine — French historian

Emmanuel Todd believes that "one of Washington's goals is to prevent a rapprochement between Russia and Germany"

Certain countries hope US aid to Ukraine to lower pressure on Russian assets issue — FT

According to the newspaper, certain countries expect this problem to fall by the wayside because Ukraine is in a more stable financial position now

Russian tech firm ramps up production of glide bombs — CEO

Rostec is "building up the production of air bombs of all calibers and types," Sergey Chemezov said

NORAD tracks four Russian military planes off Alaska — statement

"This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat," the statement says

US destroyed Germany’s domestic energy supply as it blew up Nord Stream — Carlson

The journalist emphasized that the alliance "is terrible for the United States and should be disbanded immediately"

Iran used Ghadr, Emad and Kheibar missiles to strike Israel, IRGC general says

It is reported that the US believes Iran has the largest ballistic missile force in the Middle East. Iran insists that its missile program is solely for defensive purposes

Solar storm reaches Earth earlier than planned — scientists

Powerful solar flares were registered on April 30 and May 1

Georgian protestors block traffic via Kura River embankment

No vehicles are allowed to pass, except for ambulances

US fails to shoot down Iranian missiles, drones in strike on Israel — IRGC general

Ali Belali described Iranian weapons as "an important factor of strength and the exercise of power in the world"

Russian troops liberate Berdychi community in DPR over past day — top brass

Russian troops inflicted casualties on four Ukrainian army brigades in the Kherson area over the past day, the ministry reported

Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

220mm TOS-2 is a successor to TOS-1A with improved characteristics

French politician demands Macron drop plans to send troops to Ukraine

The French president said earlier in an interview with The Economist that sending troops to Ukraine could be considered based on Kiev’s request if Russian forces broke through the front lines

Russian forces strike Ukraine’s Operational Command South headquarters

The enemy’s troops and military hardware had been hit in 112 districts

Europe facing 'triple existential risk,' Macron warns

According to the French leader, "a new geopolitical, economic and societal paradigm for Europe" is needed to address these challenges

Ukraine’s military command throws soldiers into battle without training, says POW

The POW said that the Ukrainian army was experiencing a shortage of personnel

NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

According to the journalist, everything that Washington does shows that it wants this war

Russia urges partners not to take part in conference on Ukraine in Switzerland — diplomat

Bern had invited more than 160 delegations to the conference on Ukraine

Range of Russian EMP weapons increased to 10 km — sources

Фn electromagnetic pulse lasts a fraction of a second and reaches the target almost immediately, travelling with the speed of light

Russia to fully provide itself with critical raw materials by 2030 — official

Surplus minerals will be exported, Head of the Federal Agency for Mineral Resources Yevgeny Petrov said

Turkish parliament passes bill on LNG sales as part of gas hub project — TV

The bill was submitted to parliament in January

China may review its US investment after Washington’s new sanctions on Russia — investor

According to Kyle Shostak, the new restrictions imposed by the United States may affect bilateral trade in consumer goods between Russia and China as "Chinese banks will be increasingly selective toward the servicing of Russian and related Chinese counterparties"

Death toll in China highway collapse climbs

At least 24 people were killed

Eight Syrian servicemen wounded in Israeli strike on Damascus — SANA

Al Hadath channel said the attack targeted a base of Lebanon’s Shia militia, Hezbollah, located southwest of Damascus International Airport

Zelensky cannot be legitimate president after May 21 — Medvedchuk

"Ukraine has already lost its statehood," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Kyrgyzstan advises citizens not to travel to Russia

According to the Kyrgyz side, so far there have been no signals about cases of mass refusal of entry to Russia "to Kyrgyz citizens from the [country’s] diplomatic mission and consular offices"

G7 countries privately recognize Russian assets seizure not on the table — FT

Western countries are "exploring alternative ways of extracting funding" for Ukraine from the frozen assets, the newspaper said

Press review: US to ban Russian uranium and Georgia pushes ahead with controversial bill

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, May 2nd

Ukrainian drone attacks bus in Belgorod region, one person injured

Two passengers and the driver were inside the vehicle at the time of the attack

Wounded Ukrainian soldiers have to pay ambulances to take them to hospital — US expert

The ex-Pentagon adviser Douglas Macgregor also noted the continued Russian advance on the front line

Azerbaijan’s president points to highest level of cooperation with Russia

Speaking of his recent visit to Russia, Ilham Aliyev stressed that it had been "very productive" and "once again demonstrated the strategic nature of allied relations" between the two countries

Cameron’s claims about Ukrainian strikes on Russia 'a direct escalation' — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov characterized Cameron’s remarks as "yet another very dangerous claim"

Russian troops using FPV drone destroy enemy recon group in LPR — military expert

The entire group of Ukrainian militants was killed in the strike

Russia holds rehearsal of Victory Day air parade over Moscow

Two groups of aircraft, namely, a flight of Su-27 fighter jets, and Su-25 close support aircraft flew over Moscow’s Red Square, releasing fumes in the colors of the Russian national flag

Russian ministry puts Ukrainian lawmaker Nalivaichenko on wanted persons list

Investigators determined that the lawmaker made threats to Russian servicemen participating in the special military operation during one of his appearances on Ukrainian television

Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce suspends ruble payment mechanism

The mechanism of paying in rubles for Italian goods not covered by sanctions was launched by the Chamber for its members in the test mode in February

ICRC says two staffers killed in Sudan

"They must never be directly attacked," the organization said

Zelensky bowing to Western pressure, ready to give Ukrainian lands away — official

"Contrary to the Ukrainians' interests, Zelensky, blindly obeying the external control of the collective West, wants to give its lands, cities and subsoil to other countries," Viktor Medvedchuk pointed out

US mercenaries let their fighting skills 'atrophy,' one of them says after trip to Ukraine

It is reported that a lot of Western soldiers struggle in Ukraine as things were not as they had expected

Swiss conference to be showcase for Zelensky's failed peace plan — Medvedev

"It will allow our armed forces to continue cleaning the territory of Novorossiya from neo-Nazis without interference and without looking back at someone's moronic 'peace initiatives,' and all of us - to carry out meticulous work on the speedy return of our ancestral territories to Russia," Dmitry Medvedev pointed out

Washington wants Europe to spearhead anti-Russian struggle — Hungarian official

Balazs Orban stressed that his country was not satisfied with this attitude

Reuters again publishes its previously withdrawn Cameron’s interview

According to the news agency, the publication was withdrawn to review some of its details, and the news agency promised to publish the new version in due time

Russia puts top Ukrainian security official on wanted list

Secretary of the Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Alexander Litvinenko it put on wanted list on unspecified criminal charges

Kiev loses 18 observation posts on right bank of Dnieper in past day — Russian official

The Russian army carried out active defensive operations on the left bank of the Dnieper, conducting precise strikes on enemy military facilities, equipment and artillery weapons on the right bank

Georgian authorities decline invitation to visit US to discuss partnership — ambassador

Robin Dunnigan also pointed out that the United States urges the Georgian government to "recommit the country to its Euro-Atlantic future, as written in Georgia’s constitution"

Building housing offices, production lines catches fire in Moscow

The flames are covering an area of 2,500 square meters

Hamas to release Israeli soldiers, hostages under deal with Jerusalem — TV

The document provides for three phases, each of which will last about 40 days

Soros family makes deal with Kiev to use Ukrainian land as toxic waste dump — journalist

"This agreement authorizes the disposal of chemical waste from companies linked with financier George Soros in the black soil of Ukraine," he said

TikTok again restricts app operation in Russia

TikTok has earlier become fully accessible for users of iOS and Android mobile operation systems in Russia

NATO proposes $100 bln aid fund for Ukraine — top Hungarian diplomat

"In the coming weeks, during the negotiations, we will fight for Hungary’s right to stay away from this madness, from collecting these 100 billion dollars and pumping them out of Europe," Peter Szijjarto said

Russian forces use Kornet anti-tank system to hit heavy Ukrainian drone

According to the Russian defense ministry, man-portable anti-tank missile systems are widely used in coordination with drone operators to hit the enemy positions

Ukraine’s military command re-focuses on training mobilized soldiers for defense, says POW

As the POW elaborated, the intensity of Russian strikes on Ukrainian army positions was very high and it was hardly probable to hold the positions in these conditions

Russia not to take part in any events on 'Zelensky's formula' — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova emphasized that Switzerland cannot serve as a platform for a settlement dialogue

Press review: China to weather US storm and ATACMS not 'wonder weapons'

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, April 27th

Press review: Biden losing traction amid student protests and EU's right-wing prospects

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 3rd

Retaking Chasov Yar is just a matter of time for Russia — Ukrainian intelligence

Vadim Skibitsky admitted that the Russian forces now operate as a "single body, with a clear plan, and under a single command"

NATO accuses Russia of being behind 'hybrid, malign' activities on alliance’s territories

It is reported that NATO Allies express their deep concern over Russia's hybrid actions, which constitute a threat to Allied security

US recruits Russian journalists for information warfare training — lawmaker

The State Duma Commission on Investigation into Foreign Interference in Russia's Internal Affairs "paid attention to the updated strategic plan of the US Agency for Global Media" for 2022-2026, which names Russia as an adversary and outlines measures to counter the country in the information space