Vitaly Petrov became Formula One's first Russian driver after
Renault announced he will partner Robert Kubica in 2010.
The announcement came Sunday at Valencia's Cheste Circuit
where the French team was unveiling its 2010 car, a return to
Renault's vintage black and yellow color scheme.
Petrov replaces French driver Romain Grosjean to partner
Polish teammate Kubica, who joined from BMW Sauber in place of
Fernando Alonso, who left for Ferrari.
Petrov's racing career has been short and, on Monday, he will
be sharing the track with seven-time world champion Michael
Schumacher as the three-day test session opens.
"Ten years ago, I wasn't thinking about Formula One," Petrov
said. "I didn't even know who Schumacher was."
With this week being the 25-year-old's first ever spin in an
F1 car, Petrov pleaded for patience as he takes in his
surroundings.
"I need to understand how I need to drive a Formula One car.
I need to first of all do some laps to have a feeling with this
car," Petrov said. "I have time to learn a little bit. My first
target is to finish the races and then get some points."
Petrov has been driving in GP2 since 2006 and finished
runner-up to Williams driver Nico Hulkenberg in last season's
standings of the F1 feeder series.
Petrov, who began his racing career outside Russia in 2003 in
Formula Renault, is hoping that his fellow countrymen will start
providing some support now that he has made the breakthrough into
F1.
"(Motor sport is) zero in Russia," said Petrov, whose father
Aleksandr has supported him all the way since he first got behind
the wheel of a Lada at the age of five.
"No sponsors, nobody was helping from Russia. They must, they
must wake up," Petrov said. "We do it without any help. Now I think
they will see us in Formula One and it will change things."
Renault certainly is banking on Petrov's arrival to open up
new markets. It has also signed Ho-Pin Tung of China as a third
driver with an eye to tapping Asia.
"This driver has the talent and we think that at some time
that will help open up an interesting market. That's something that
also appeals," team owner Gerard Lopez said of Petrov.
Petrov seemed undaunted by the challenge as he looked forward
to his first season.
"Now I have the chance and I try to beat the best," Petrov
said, before making it clear he would not give way to Schumacher if
the two came screeching into a corner together. "Of course, (you)
fight him. It's racing. It's like when you with fight in boxing
with your friend, you will hit him."
