Petrov believed that he would drive as Räikkönen's team mate
Turun Sanomat 25.1.2012 21:46:07
Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean are now in the team from which Russian Vitaly Petrov had to go. Petrov is however not bitter - at least not at Räikkönen.
– I believed that I would drive together with Kimi but then things turned upside down and now his team mate is a completely different driver, Petrov said on Wednesday.
– It's good for the team and good for F1 that Kimi is back again. I like him a lot because our personalities are quite similar. Afterall there was only about 200 km between us.
All and all Petrov lets bygones be bygones and concentrates on the future.
– The team made their decision and I have to accept that. Now there is a new season, a new life and I am here in the audience looking at what we can do.
Petrov worked as the first Russian pilot in F1 for Pirelli when they presented their tyres in Abu Dhabi. The negotiations proceed so that Petrov would start as Pirelli's test driver once they first get the test car -matters sorted out.
F1-racing has pressure to maintain their Russian representation because after two years Russia gets their first GP-race.
Another setback for Petrov is that just as the negotiations were critical his manager Oksana Kosatshenko broke his leg.
Petrov has been after Jarno Trulli's seat in Caterham but the Italian hasn't agreed to terminate his contract.
– At the moment I can't tell anything. Now I'm working for Pirelli and it's possible that we continue our co-work which might be interesting. Pirelli is important for F1 and also an important company for the car industry. I might return in 1-2 years so this combination could be good for me too, not just for Pirelli.
– Pirelli has made different tyres for this year so it's best to hang around and get to know them. I am not worried. There's still two weeks before the winter tests begin so there is still time to make a decision.
– We have been discussing about what I would do this year. My options are either a test- or a race driver. We are now thinking about the best option. The most important thing would be not to lose the experience I have gained during two years, because if I would do something else, then my touch for F1 would disappear.