Petrov becomes first F1 Russian
Sunday, 31 January 2010Vitaly Petrov will make Formula One history this season by becoming the first Russian to compete in the series after landing a drive with Renault.
Last season's GP2 runner-up, today confirmed at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, is understood to have landed his seat courtesy of the considerable financial support he has behind him.
The 25-year-old from Vyborg, 200km north of St Petersburg and close to the Russian-Finnish border, will partner Poland's Robert Kubica.
Renault, predominantly owned by Luxembourg-based private investment firm Genii Capital following their buy-out in early December, today also took the wraps off their new challenger, the R30.
Following the exit of ING as their title sponsor towards the end of last season, the new livery is now a striking yellow and black.
It has been all change at Renault over the last couple of months, with Genii's investment at least preserving the name as bosses of the French manufacturer had considered withdrawing from F1.
The 'crashgate' scandal that hit the headlines last season also considerably damaged the team's reputation.
However, the intervention of Genii has had a significant impact, with Kubica opting to remain as there were doubts he would stay at a time when Renault's future was being debated.
Renault also recently appointed a new team principal in Eric Boullier, and with a new and history-making driver in Petrov on board, they will be hoping the past is now behind them and the tide has turned.
