NOVEMBER 18, 2011

Petrov hits out at Renault

A lengthy interview on Russian television has laid Vitaly Petrov's future with Lotus Renault GP under the spotlight.

Vitaly Petrov, Japanese GP 2011
© The Cahier Archive

A lengthy interview on Russian television has laid Vitaly Petrov's future with Lotus Renault GP under the spotlight.

Talking to Russia 2, Petrov said that he believed it was time to speak out.

"I cannot say anything bad about the team, it says so in my contract," Petrov explained.

"Read my interviews; I haven't criticised the team despite what we have lost so many times. How much have we missed at pitstops? With strategy?

"We have lost positions in about 10 races or even more. Even without a fast car we could have gained good points, we could have finished with points if we had had a good strategy.

"I can't keep silent any more - it is over. I can't keep everything inside any more."

The timing of Petrov's comments suggest that he may have had some indication that he will not be retained for a third season in 2012, despite allegedly having a contract in place.

Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean are both pushing for race seats in 2012 and Adrian Sutil's name has also been linked to the team, while Robert Kubica remains in the background.