Sirotkin set for Renault outings in Barcelona, Silverstone tests

The Russian has signed as a test driver for the French car manufacturer and completed his first FP1 run at his home event on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference with Sirotkin's SMP Racing backer Boris Rotenberg in the Sochi paddock on Saturday morning, Renault boss Fred Vasseur outlined the next steps.

He said more FP1 running was unlikely for the time being with Sirotkin having to focus on winning GP2.

However, opportunities will come up in the Barcelona and Silverstone in-season tests.

"He will first do a test day outside of a Grand Prix weekend, and then he will do an FP1 at the end of the season - but first he will have to focus on GP2," Vasseur said when asked about when Sirotkin would next be in the car.

Vasseur also praised the job that Sirotkin had done after his late call-up to run in Sochi.

"Sergey did FP1 yesterday in Sochi and he did a good job, not only in terms of pace," he explained.

"It was the first time in to the car and because of the new regulations there were a lot of things to manage. But he made no mistake and did a perfect job."

Sirotkin is a contender for a Renault seat in 2017, but Vasseur said decisions on that front would not be made for a while.

"It is a bit too early to speak about 2017," he said.  "The situation is that F1 is a long term project for us, and although I will be considering the drivers it is too early to think about it."