Petrov: “Grosjean made a mistake”

Vitaly Petrov is one of the few “rookies” in the paddock this year, alongside Lucas di Grassi and Nico Hulkenberg, even Bruno Senna and Jose Maria Lopez. The Russian driver makes his debut with Renault F1 Team with humility, readily recognizing his lack of experience behind the wheel of an F1. Although he was approached during the winter by Campos and Sauber, Vitaly Petrov states in AUTOhebdo's 1 F2010 Guide that he chose Renault for the experience displayed by the team?enstone.

« I chose Renault, as I could have chosen BMW-Sauber, for a very simple reason, explains Petrov. We learn more and faster with a team that has been in place for a long time than with a team that is setting up and looking for itself. You might as well be “lost” in the middle of a famous city as in the middle of Siberia! »

After several days of testing, the first Russian driver in F1 was able to get his bearings within a team that included, last year, Romain Grosjean. Former teammate of the Frenchman at Barwa Addax in GP2, Vitaly Petrov thinks that Romain Grosjean arrived at the wrong time, mid-season, at the wheel of a car that did not allow him to prove himself.

« Grosjean made a huge mistake by joining F1 mid-season, says Petrov. He had a lot more to lose than to gain, especially with a car whose Alonso didn't get anything good out of it. A team asked me, in mid-2009, to start the season. I refused, and my father supported me. A season must be started, not taken along the way »

Find the AUTOhebdo F1 2010 Guide, currently on sale on newsstands