Serꦺgey Sirotkin found it "difficult" missing out on a Formula 1 drive with Renault for the 2018 season before landing on his feet with Williams by securing a full-time seat.

Sirotkin worked with Renault in aꦜ development role through 2016 and 2017, appearing in four free practice sessions last year as part of his push for a full-time race seat, only to lose out to Carlos Sainz Jr.

Sirotkin was able to move into contention to replace Felipe 🐓Massa at Williams following the Brazilian's decision to retire from F1, and was confirmed in the seat in Janu𝔍ary before making his first pre-season testing appearance with the team last week.

2018 will mark Sirotkin's first full F1 season despite being in the 🌃running for drives at Sauber and Renault in the past, with the Russian admitting that missing out on a drive at the latter was particularly tough to take.

"With Sauber it was not really a full focus on [an F1 seat], it came as quick as it disappeared to be honest," Sirotkin expla🐷ined.

"I was still doing my career in World Series and GP2, and OK, it was a good opportunity, but at the end of the day it was not something I put all my life into. I was still racing and winning the rac𒊎ing and hitting my own target🙈s and that’s what I was trying to continue to do.

"It was a bit more difficult with Renault last year, because it was the first season I didn’t race when I was fully dedicated to 𒊎the team and I worked hard for them.

"Then at some points, when you realise it’s not going the way you expected it to be going, it’s definit♋ely not the best feeling. I was still travelling, still doing a lot of work and then not so much time behind the wheel, so you don’t getꦿ as much satisfaction back.

"It’s not the easiest feeling and it’s a peri𒁃od that ended up being much more difficult than I imagined it ✨to be.

"But I learned fro⛎m it and I&🌃nbsp;maximised it and I need to thank them as well for me making me the driver I am now and getting me where I am now."