user icon
icon

Vitaly Petrov not happy with label of pay-driver

<< Return to the news list
Vitaly Petrov not happy with label of pay-driver
Vitaly Petrov has hit out again at his 'pay-driver' label, insisting even the highest paid driver on the grid has a similar arrangement with his team. "I see no difference between myself and Alonso," said the Russian, who has moved his lucrative backing from Renault (now Lotus) to the Caterham team for 2012.

His new appointment is controversial, given he has ousted the experienced veteran and former Monaco winner Jarno Trulli, who was the last Italian in F1. Comparing himself with Alonso, Petrov told La Stampa newspaper: "Everyone knows that he is funded by the money from (Ferrari sponsor) Banco Santander. Anyway, you only get to F1 because of talent."
More about Ferrari Former Ferrari driver fears Hamilton has broken Leclerc's confidence

Former Ferrari driver fears Hamilton has broken Leclerc's confidence

Jun 23
 Norris nears Hamilton's McLaren record with Prost in sight

Norris nears Hamilton's McLaren record with Prost in sight

Jun 22

And Petrov, 27, insists he does not feel sorry for Trulli. "Life is hard," the Italian newspaper quotes him as saying. He admitted that having friends in F1 is impossible, whilst making some comments that will also not endear him to the sport's Italian followers.

Asked to explain the rare absence of Italians on the grid, Petrov criticised the country's junior categories and added: "Your drivers lack the passion." And as for Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo's complaints about the dramatic role being played by aerodynamics in F1 at present, he answered: "When you're not winning, it's easy to complain."

Petrov, however, lived in Italy in his past, revealing that his favourite elements of Italian life are "the food and the girls". But on the latter, he does not expect to be wheel-to-wheel with the opposite sex any time soon. "They do not have the physical ability and also are not prepared for the high speeds. But everything in life is possible," said Petrov. (GMM)
F1 News Renault Lotus F1 Ferrari

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

More news

Test calendar

Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Pos
Team
Points
1
Mercedes
262
2
Ferrari
190
3
McLaren
141
4
Red Bull Racing
89
5
Alpine F1
60
6
Racing Bulls
38
7
Haas F1
21
8
Williams
11
9
Audi
2
10
Aston Martin
1
Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
China
Shanghai International Circuit
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
China Shanghai International Circuit
27 - Mar 29
Japan Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria Red Bull Ring
See full schedule

Team profile

Renault
Renault
Show full profile
show sidebar