Sauber’s controversial future driver Sergey Sirotkin is to be given his first taste of a Formula One car next month.

The 17-year-old is due to take up a seat with the Swiss-based team for next season, despite his lack of single-seater experience.

Sirotkin is being fast-tracked into F1 as part of father Oleg’s deal to aid Sauber following their recent financial crisis.

Oleg Sirotkin runs the National Institute of Aviation Technologies, one of three Russian companies to form an alliance with Sauber, along with the Investment Co-operation International Fund and the State Fund of Development of North-West Russian Federation.

Although still requiring the necessary superlicence needed to be in F1, Sirotkin at least visited the Sauber factory in Hinwil for two days this week during which time he underwent a seat fitting.

That was done as Sirotkin is to take part in a demonstration run on September 27 in Sochi, the site of next season’s inaugural Russian Grand Prix.

Sirotkin said: “My visit to the Sauber headquarters was busy.

“I learned a lot about the team and many other things. I had a seat fitting, met the engineers and learned about the car and what happens over a race weekend. I also had a lesson with the steering wheel.

“I am happy because if you had told me six months ago one day I would visit the workshop and meet the team I would have never believed you.

“It’s great. The dream is so close to becoming reality now.”

Team chief Monisha Kalten-born added: “We are proud to be doing the demo run next month.

“It will be a historical moment when a Russian drives a Formula One car for the first time at the track in Sochi.”