Vitaly Petrov News

[Anna]

#10 Vitaly Petrov



Driver Info

Full Name: Vitaly Alexandrovich Petrov
Age: 27
Nationality: Russian
Twitter: n/a
Official Site: www.vitalypetrov.ru/ (Russian only)
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitaly_Petrov

F1 Statistics

Races: 33
Debut: 2010 Bahrain GP
Points: 61
Wins: 0
Podiums: 1
Highest Finish: 3rd (2011 Australian GP)
Pole Positions: 0
Highest Qual: 6th (2011 Australian GP, 2011 Spanish GP)
Fastest Laps: 1
Drivers Championships: 0
Highest Championship Pos: 13th (2010)
Current Championship Pos: 9th (34 Points)

Recent Championship Positions

2010: 13th (27 Points, 0 Wins)

Team History

2010-Present: Renault

Notable Achievements

1st Russian Driver in F1
2009 GP2 Championship Runner Up

[Anna]

Q&A with Vitaly Petrov


“Braking, traction and exits of corners – Monza is all about precision”

Wednesday 7 September 2011 - 17h55, by Olivier Ferret
After returning to the points in Spa, Vitaly is turning his attention to Monza and one of the most passionate F1 fanbases in the world

Two more points for you in Spa – were there more positives to take away than negatives?

Yes, it was definitely a positive weekend because, if you cast your mind back, we had some difficult races before. So, we were content with being back in the top 10 and hopeful that we can push on from there. It was an interesting weekend in Spa, and we faced challenging, varied weather conditions which really tested us but overall we tackled what was thrown at us, well.

You now have a new race driver team mate – what’s your relationship like with Mr. Senna?

I’ve known Bruno for quite a long time from my days in GP2. Back then, we were not close friends, but since he joined us this year he’s been in every briefing and we’ve eaten together, talked a lot and developed a good relationship. He’s a good mate, and he’s also a talented driver, which was evident in Belgium. He demonstrated his skills there for all to see.

Did you feel any added pressure when he out-qualified you, or do you just view this as healthy competition?

No, I think it’s just healthy competition. I had a few issues with the car in Q3 but I think Bruno deserved it, he really did. He had a strong qualifying and proved his ability.

What are your thoughts on the Italian Grand Prix?

Well, Monza is a very interesting track, where you need a different level of downforce; you also need a very strong engine and solid brakes. There aren’t many corners but every single centimetre of the track is critical for lap time. Braking, traction and exits of corners – Monza is all about precision.

It’s a special race with a lot of motor racing fans – do you consider this one of the ‘big ones’?

This is a big race, no two ways about it. I think it is quite similar to England; just like Silverstone is full of English fans, Monza is full of Italian Ferrari fans! They just love motorsport, love the circuit and love Formula 1.

[Anna]

Petrov sure his seat at Renault is safe for 2012 despite Senna threat
By Pablo Elizalde and Simon Strang Thursday, September 8th 2011, 14:37 GMT

Vitaly Petrov says his position is not under threat despite the presence of Bruno Senna at the Renault team.

Senna has replaced Nick Heidfeld from the Belgian Grand Prix, and the Brazilian is aiming to secure a deal to race with the team next year too.

One seat is expected to go to Robert Kubica if the Pole manages to make a comeback following his accident.

Despite that and Senna's target, Petrov is adamant his contract guarantees him a seat in 2012.

"My contract is safe for next year," said Petrov. "I think if he beat me it would be all good, but to me it doesn't matter. I'll just drive like normal and we'll see."

Petrov, who turned 27 today, says nothing has changed at Renault following Heidfeld's exit.

"I think that everything is fine at the moment. I think we don't miss anything. Last year when we had Robert here it was more important but now I understand everything we need to do.

"Like you saw last week in qualifying there were some problems but we had a good race apart from the problem with the failed brake, but I didn't change anything."

The Russian says Renault has not been happy with its performance during the middle part of the season, and reckons the construction of a wind tunnel has hurt its chances.

"I think we've already stopped (development). We lost it at the start of the middle of the season because of the construction of our wind tunnel, which is why we lost the performance from the start of the season.

"Normally nobody is happy because we want to be the best and we want to fight with Mercedes, and if you look back at the beginning of the season Mercedes was nowhere compared to us but then we started to lose our performance and Mercedes grew up.

"The last three/four races were very difficult to get into the top 10 so this is why the team is very disappointed. When the team are happy it brings better results."

[Anna]

Q&A with Vitaly Petrov


“There’s no doubt the mood within the camp is high”

Friday 16 September 2011 - 20h55, by Olivier Ferret
After his first corner disappointment in Italy, Vitaly tells us he is ready for some nocturnal driving in Singapore

Lady luck seemed to desert you in Italy – what’s your take on the race?

Throughout the weekend the team made a good step forward. We improved on the set-up of the car, and of course our P7 and P10 qualifying positions were great news; there was a very buoyant team spirit after that! Then, for the race it was just a case of bad luck, but that’s sport. I think Vitantonio (Liuzzi) understands where he went wrong and we’ve now drawn a line under it and taken a positive step forward from that weekend. There’s no doubt the mood within the camp is high.

Next stop Singapore – is that a special race for you ?

Singapore is a little different because you are racing at night and sleeping during the day, so you need to change your schedule and be prepared to be a nocturnal racer! As a driver, you really need to spend more time outside, which is why I arrive on the Monday prior to the race weekend so I can adapt to the conditions.

Are you a fan of street circuits?

Yes, I am. I like tracks that require maximum concentration and where you cannot afford to make any mistakes. It goes without saying that it’s not an easy track ; the traction is very important, which is something that has plagued us in the past. However, we are confident of improving on this by ensuring a good set-up for qualifying. The track consists of 23 very demanding corners but I’m looking forward to returning there and trying to improve on my performance from last year.

What will be the key aspects for the car set-up?

First and foremost, we have to get to grips with the traction (excuse the pun!). The track is bumpy, the car jumps a lot and it is easy to lock the wheels, which we will need to try and avoid this year.

Have you gone through any special preparations to deal with the heat and humidity of this race ?

I don’t think you can easily prepare for this race. The conditions will be the same as we faced in Malaysia, and we can’t simulate these weather conditions back in England! I like the fact that we will be working at night and sleeping during the day ; I actually think that in adopting this pattern I will be able to sleep more! The best way to prepare is to arrive in Singapore as early as possible to acclimatise oneself. It will be the same for everyone so I don’t fear this race, not at all.

[kelli52]

Renault F1 team boss Eric Boullier has added fuel to speculation Vitaly Petrov might be ousted at the end of the season.

It was reported last week that not only Russian Petrov but also his 2010 teammate Robert Kubica could be overlooked for the Enstone based team’s race seats next year.

Auto Motor und Sport said that, instead, Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean might be regarded as the favourites, despite the fact Petrov has a valid contract.

Petrov, 27, said at Monza: “My contract is safe for next year.”

But his boss, Frenchman Boullier, told Daily Mail: “You have contracts, but there are some exit clauses for every party.”

He is keen to find a place in F1 for his countryman and new GP2 champion Grosjean, who is managed by Boullier’s own Gravity stable, while Brazilian Senna is now regarded as a better bet than Petrov in terms of sponsorship potential.

Boullier told the newspaper it is “too early” to talk about 27-year-old Senna with regards to 2012.

Senna though is obviously keen to hang onto his race seat, having replaced Kubica substitute Nick Heidfeld two races ago.

“The best way for me to be racing next year is with the results on the track,” he said.

“The objective is to keep having strong results and fix my place in formula one, and the key to that is to keep improving and learning.”

[Anna]

Petrov : I have a contract for next year


“I and the team are fully concentrated”

Thursday 10 November 2011 - 17h31, by Olivier Ferret
Today at the Yas Marina Circuit Vitaly Petrov was invited to the official FIA press conference, which gave him the chance to set out his objectives for the Lotus Renault GP team…

Vitaly, we remember you last year with your red shadow - would it have been very different with DRS?

Vitaly PETROV: Definitely, and with new Pirelli tyres.

It would have been very different, would it?

VP: I think we need to forget already what’s happened last year here. I know I did a good race by myself to improve and to show the team I could stay for next year. It was not to use tactics for Fernando (Alonso), and with the lack of overtaking here he couldn’t do anything.

There have been a few changes in the team this year - is that something that affects you most recently?

VP: I don’t think anything changes for me. I think it will be better for the team. It’s like football; when a new coach joins a team, what he does first of all is look at the team and watches where the players are playing. Then he puts the people in the right places, where they should be playing. Then teams become more competitive and play stronger. This is actually what we try to do inside the team. The team principal tries to change some people, to move them around and try to profit from this.

What’s the situation for next year, your future?

VP: For me, everything is clear. I have a contract for next year, I don’t need to be worried, so I just try to do my job, try to gather a lot of information for next year for us in these last two races. I and the team are fully concentrated on the team for next year also so I’m quite clear.

[Anna]

Petrov slams Renault and admits exit ’possible’


"It’s a world where everything is possible"

Thursday 17 November 2011 - 07h40, by GMM
Vitaly Petrov has admitted he might be in breach of contract for a rant against his F1 team Renault in the Russian press.

He started by telling Russian television Rossiya 2 that the Enstone based team’s development of its 2011 car has not been good enough due to early problems with the unique forward-mounted engine exhausts.

"For almost ten races we have had absolutely nothing (new), which, in fact, means we drive basically the same car we began the season with," said Petrov.

"Of course, the first podium (in Australia) was inspiring, for me, the whole of Russia, all the fans. But then I was just angry with everything and tried to do something.

"Unfortunately, I can’t say anything bad about the team, it is written down in my contract," said the 27-year-old.

Petrov uses the word ’unfortunately’ because he claims the team bosses are often highly critical.

"Read my interviews, I don’t criticise a team that lost many times. How much have we lost on pitstops? How much have we lost on tactics?

"Due to that kind of thing we lost, I can say, about ten races, if not more. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say in an interview that we lost due to poor pitstops once again, or something.

"I still can’t speak about it, but on the same side I also can’t remain silent, I’ve had enough of it, I can’t keep everything inside."

The breaking of the silence might be related to speculation Renault, to become Lotus in 2012, is rethinking its entire driver lineup for next year, despite already having a contract with Petrov.

"This is formula one, it’s business," he admitted. "Gradually, they’re just working to get more -– maybe the price, maybe the sponsors, maybe the drivers around them.

"Look at the queue of drivers at Williams — I believe there are 20 people eager to take the second place there. Thank god I’m not in it.

"As for me, I think it is quite clear — I have a contract. But as I said before, even the world champion Kimi Raikkonen was asked (by Ferrari) to leave formula one for a certain amount.

"It’s a world where everything is possible, it will be hard to oppose if they want to remove someone," he admitted.

[Anna]

I actually feel bad for Petrov, I've not been sure about Renault this season, I loved their attitude last season, I loved how they began the season, I thought they were on their way...

Now I'm not sure. Nick Heidfeld had nothing nice to say about them and he's a nice guy, Petrov has now exploded and he's if not a nice guy a quiet guy, and Bruno doesn't seem all that happy.

I love Bouiller, or I did, he was great for the paddock but I'm starting to feel the people in charge don't know what they are doing. Maybe less time arguing in courts about their name and more work on the car would have helped them.

I prefer drivers to tell us when they are upset with the team, ok some go too far and blame the team for everything, but I don't like the censorship all the time. You can't really win one way or the other, you'll either get people blaming every tiny thing on the cars and team or you'll get to the point that the drivers are scared to speak up for themselves so every little thing gets blamed on them. Vitaly hasn't done a bad job and points wise neither really did Nick. Bruno is shakey but he's only had a few races to get up to speed with a car by the sounds of it that hasn't improved from its early success. But I'd much rather they go the way of blaming everyone around them, at least you'll get grains of truth from it instead of having to hear all the time how useless drivers on when in actual fact if you look at the facts the drivers [problems HAVE been car related or strategy related.

[Anna]

Petrov in talks with two other teams

1 December 2011

Vitaly Petrov is in discussions with two teams other than Lotus Renault GP, with regards to the future of his F1 career. It is believed the Russian has an option on his current deal which allows an exit from the Enstone squad, should he wish to leave.


40% of Petrov's 2011 points came in the opening race
Petrov joined LRGP, then known solely as Renault, at the start of the 2010 campaign before beginning 2011 in style by achieving a podium finish. Since then, the team has struggled to successfully develop its car and a rift between the two parties broke out after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when Petrov criticised the squad for its lack of performance.

On Wednesday, Team Principal Eric Boullier – who has already signed 2007 Champion Kimi Räikkönen for the next two seasons - met with Oksana Kosachenko, manager to Petrov, in order to decide his future. According to the Russian media, Petrov now has until next Saturday (10 December) to make his feelings clear.

“I was given a very short amount of time, literally ten days - we have until December 10 to decide if Vitaly stays or leaves,” Kosachenko explained to RIA Novosti.

In the event of Petrov leaving the team, a number of drivers are being lined up to take his place, notably GP2 Champion Romain Grosjean and 2011 driver Bruno Senna. Petrov is believed to be in talks with two other Formula 1 teams, although his management has declined to name either of them.

[Anna]

2011 end of term report – Vitaly Petrov


37 points, 10th in the drivers’ championship

Wednesday 21 December 2011 - 18h21, by Sandrine Bouchard
Vitaly Petrov showed more maturity in his second season in F1 and improved on his 2010 final result. Thirteenth in his rookie season, he was 10th this year.

Season review

Petrov had to wait until December 22nd to get confirmation of his presence at Renault in 2011. His contract was even prolonged to the end of 2012… but was eventually broken as the Russian has not been retained to drive for the team next year.

After some promising winter testing, Petrov flew to Australia with high hopes. He had an excellent weekend and scored his best-ever result. He was sixth on the starting grid and crossed the finish line in 3rd place. Delighted with this podium, Petrov and LRGP were positive of more top three finishes as the season progressed.

In Malaysia, the Russian qualified once again in the top ten and made a good start. However, he ran wide in the closing parts of race – while running in 7th place – and was forced to retire with a broken steering column.

He scored points in China and in Turkey but missed out on the top ten in Spain. At Monaco, he was fighting for points when he was involved in a multi-car crash. Feeling pain in his back, he waited for the medical crew to attend to him and was eventually taken to the hospital. He was soon released and was back behind the wheel in Canada. He finished the race in 5th place.

The R31 was less competitive in the second part of the season and Petrov’s performance suffered from it. He was 15th at Valencia, 12th at Silverstone, 10th in Germany and 12th in Hungary. He took a couple of points away from the Belgium Grand Prix. In Italy, he was taken out of the race in the first corner.

LRGP really struggled at Singapore and Petrov finished in 17th position, behind Kovalainen’s Lotus.

The Russian bagged two more points in Japan but collided with Schumacher in Korea. He was deemed responsible for the collision and was given a five place grid penalty for the Indian Grand Prix. He had another difficult race in Abu Dhabi but ended the season on a good note as he picked up a point in Brazil.

Conclusion

After a promising podium in the season’s opener, Vitaly Petrov’s performances faded throughout the season and were obviously affected by the competitiveness of his car. The LRGP driver performed well in qualifying and outshone Nick Heidfeld in this area, although he struggled a bit against Bruno Senna. He scored his first podium in F1 but didn’t improve as much as expected. He was 10th in the championship and is at the moment looking for a racing seat for 2012.

Highs
Third in Australia
Scored 10 more points than in 2010
Outshone Heidfeld in qualifying

Lows
Didn’t improve enough
Crashed in Malaysia
Without a drive for 2012

Nextgen-Auto.com marks:
Olivier Ferret : 9/20
D.Thys : 13/20
Sandrine Bouchard : 13/20
Jean-Michel Setbon : 10/20
Average mark on the forum Nextgen-Auto.com : 11/20
Total : 56/100