Petrov slams Renault and admits exit 'possible'
Global Motorsport Media
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.
How much have we lost on pitstops? How much have we lost on tactics?
"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.
Share Or Save This Story
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
F1 Spanish GP at Madring: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Anthony Davidson warns young drivers not to follow Lewis Hamilton's Madrid FP3 example
Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur recall GP2 title and 'most impressive race ever', 20 years on
The step-by-step story of how Lando Norris' Spanish GP miss played out under the VSC
Lando Norris praised for firm response to Coca-Cola request after Spanish GP: "Highlight of the Madring"
Jesse Love honors his word and the NASCAR O'Reily Chase gets tighter
Nico Rosberg: Carlos Sainz must share blame for Madring overtaking issues
How Norris unfurled a surprising - and "unrepeatable" - Spanish GP pole lap
Audi’s long road back to the top of grand prix racing
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 F1 Spanish GP
What F1's risky Madrid bet needs to get right in order to pay off
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments