Vitaly Petrov left his Lada driving days far behind on Sunday when he signed with Renault as Russia’s first Formula One racer.
The 25-year-old — runner-up in last year’s GP2 support series to Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg — will partner Robert Kubica at the former champions.
“You see my face? I am very happy,” grinned the Russian, who signed the contract only hours before his new car was unveiled at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit.
“Now is a big explosion in Russia, all the television and newspapers,” he said. “But you know what I did? I switch off the phone, and try to concentrate here on the team.”
Media reports have suggested the Russian could bring around US$15 million of backing to Renault who faced a big hole in their budget after losing title sponsor ING at the end of last season.
However, Gerard Lopez, the entrepreneur who recently took a significant stake in the team from Renault, said that was wrong.
“We had people and drivers who could have brought twice what Vitaly is bringing,” he said.
Petrov said he had no Russian sponsors, only his father.
“I try my best. The first target will be to finish the races and take the points for the team,” said Petrov, who recalled his first solo drive in his father’s Zhiguli (Lada) as a five-year-old.
Unusually for a Formula One driver, the Russian has no background in go-karts and started out in motor racing less than a decade ago.
“Ten years ago I did not think about Formula One, I didn’t know who Schumacher was,” he said.
Tung Ho-pin also broke new ground with Renault on Sunday when be became the first Chinese driver to be named in a Formula One team line-up.
The Dutch-born 27-year-old, already the first Chinese national to drive a grand prix car, will be Renault’s official third (reserve) driver this season.
Tung will also be racing in the GP2 support series with the DAMS team in Renault colors.
“This step will be the breakthrough I think in terms of media attention, of interest,” he said.
“I will be the first Chinese guy ever who is officially part of a Formula One team and that’s going to be a big thing, I think,” he said.
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