1188 replies to this topic

[TFLB]

If you read the team principals comments, it is pretty obvious they think Heikki is driving superbly. He has been quite unlucky in the races so far, but has clearly shown more pace then Petrov.

Slightly more pace, yes, but only in qualifying and its certainly not the thrashing some people are portraying it as. Plus, how can you know what impact the lack of updates is having on Petrov's car compared to Kovalainen's?

[sofarapartguy]

The Caterham gang!

[Red17]

The Caterham gang!

I dunno why, but his picture reminds me of Dune.

[TFLB]

The Caterham gang!

That's dying for a caption.

[TheWilliamzer]

And Vitaly finishes ahead of Heikki & Bruno. Nice!

[Vesuvius]

Great race from Vitaly today

[TheWilliamzer]

Great race from Vitaly today

that overtake on Heikki at T6 was sweet! he seemed fast the whole race.

[TFLB]

He was over 40 seconds ahead of Kovalainen today.

[Jejking]

Very good job by him, although I didn't keep an eye on their times. 40 seconds is a LOT!

[Rentta]

Well kovalainen had 4 pitstops ...

[TFLB]

Well kovalainen had 4 pitstops ...

Yes, Kovalainen had one more pitstop, and it was a slow one at 28.988 seconds, but the gap was over 40 seconds, so Petrov would have beaten him anyway.

[Rentta]

Yes, Kovalainen had one more pitstop, and it was a slow one at 28.988 seconds, but the gap was over 40 seconds, so Petrov would have beaten him anyway.

I don't think so , kovalainen was ahead before that stop .

[TFLB]

I don't think so , kovalainen was ahead before that stop .

I'm not sure he was you know, Petrov passed him on track.

[Rentta]

I'm not sure he was you know, Petrov passed him on track.

After he had problems with front .

[levelord]

After he had problems with front .

Have anyone noticed that Kovalainen pretty often says about any kind of problems he had, once got over raced by teammate? And forgets to mention that problems if he wins over Petrov. Im not implying on anything, but this fact kinda interesting.
BTW, that was a strong race by Vitaly. Good job. Hope for better in Hungary.

Edited by levelord, 25 July 2012 - 10:59.

[TheWilliamzer]

Not looking good so far for next year! Damn money

[sofarapartguy]

Not looking good so far for next year! Damn money

Well there was nothing new in this "money issue" - Petrov came in F1 with a huge backing and now it is difficult to establish him as a real driver who should get a salary. Heck, even Pastor and Perez do not get a salary despite their achievments.

Vitaly and his manager have got issues with typical "In Soviet Russia you don't do business" - local sponsors want to get some revenues NOW and in FULL ammount. That's not how F1 works but they just don't get it.

Sadly but that is what we have.

[TheWilliamzer]

You're right! the global financial crisis makes everybody think twice before investing in sports especially F1, no one wants to gamble. BTW you mentioned Pastor's salary I think it's already gone in reprimands this year...

[Sanman59]

Well there was nothing new in this "money issue" - Petrov came in F1 with a huge backing and now it is difficult to establish him as a real driver who should get a salary. Heck, even Pastor and Perez do not get a salary despite their achievments.

Vitaly and his manager have got issues with typical "In Soviet Russia you don't do business" - local sponsors want to get some revenues NOW and in FULL ammount. That's not how F1 works but they just don't get it.

Sadly but that is what we have.

Looks like Marussia is his only option for 2013 then.

[Wingcommander]

Looks like Marussia is his only option for 2013 then.

Only if he brings a lot of money. If Pic takes his sponsors to Caterham, then Max Chilton (reserve driver) looks like the obvious choice for Marussia. It's kind of sad, because i think Petrov is very much worthy of a drive in F1. After a difficult rookie season he has really matured into a consistent and fast driver.

[sofarapartguy]

Looks like Marussia is his only option for 2013 then.

No. His Manager said too many times that Marussia is not an option. It's complicated but true - Petrov will never drive for this "russian" team.

Edited by sofarapartguy, 05 October 2012 - 13:37.

[jals99]

Only if he brings a lot of money. If Pic takes his sponsors to Caterham, then Max Chilton (reserve driver) looks like the obvious choice for Marussia. It's kind of sad, because i think Petrov is very much worthy of a drive in F1. After a difficult rookie season he has really matured into a consistent and fast driver.

Its true. I will hope until the last moment. Hopefully he will partner Pic at Caterham...Last races could be crucial

[jals99]

Only if he brings a lot of money. If Pic takes his sponsors to Caterham, then Max Chilton (reserve driver) looks like the obvious choice for Marussia. It's kind of sad, because i think Petrov is very much worthy of a drive in F1. After a difficult rookie season he has really matured into a consistent and fast driver.

Its true. I will hope until the last moment. Hopefully he will partner Pic at Caterham...Last races could be crucial

[g1n]

No. His Manager said too many times that Marussia is not an option. It's complicated but true - Petrov will never drive for this "russian" team.

why not?

[sofarapartguy]

why not?

Because Marussia has never ever seriously aimed to fight and develop in F1 as a team - it was just a good PR move and a nice opportunity to... launder money. How many super cars did Marussia build do you think?

Petrov's manager will never move there - as it would just kill not only Vitaly's career. That would mean to become a part of the grand shady business project.

Edited by sofarapartguy, 05 October 2012 - 21:09.

[Slowinfastout]

Because Marussia has never ever seriously aimed to fight and develop in F1 as a team - it was just a good PR move and a nice opportunity to... launder money. How many super cars did Marussia build do you think?

Petrov's manager will never move there - as it would just kill not only Vitaly's career. That would mean to become a part of the grand shady business project.

Very good question and it does seem funny they are able to be a title sponsor in F1.

But it looks like Petrov has his own problem finding legit money.

http://www.auto123.c...ov?artid=147114

[DutchQuicksilver]

If Pic takes his sponsors to Caterham,

I certainly hope not. Pic is one of the most invisible F1 drivers I've seen the last few years. Haven't seen him do anything to be noticed this year.

[William Hunt]

I certainly hope not. Pic is one of the most invisible F1 drivers I've seen the last few years. Haven't seen him do anything to be noticed this year.

Pic has driven a great season this year and deserves a shot with a better team. That you haven't noticed him probably has more to do with the team he is driving for than with his ability / performance.

[iiMac]

Meanwhile... Good quali, Vit!

[MortenF1]

Yeah, very good! We know Kovalainen can be an ace qualifier so when Petrov beats him he knows he's done really well. This; the ability to beat him in qualifying, when he's more often than not showing better race-pace, means Petrov has had and is having a very good season! I hope he's on the grid next year.

[TheWilliamzer]

So Vitaly was with Heikki the whole race, and finished in front.

Good race for him.

[alexSun]

Vitaly and Heikki - both very strong, stable and high-quality drivers!
They are worthy of fast cars, with their skills - good teams will undoubtedly be in the top positions!
Another big plus V.Petrov in that in a short time he could to adapt to the machine in which Heikki spent quite a long time. (It's shows Vitaly's hard work and technical - talent). Remember how Vitaly being still a novice in F1 in 2010, was able to keep throughout the race F. Alonso and not let him fight for the title! Vitaly also on the podium in Australia 2011! Strongest drivers - Nick Heidfeld also lost Vitaly. Now, over time, the ability for the last time Vitaly very grown up. Vitaly was equal basis with Heikki and other world top pilots.
Heikki also very cool racer. Complement to his address can say hundreds!
The team was very lucky with the composition of the pilots, but definitely a team at least need to build a new chassis.

Edited by alexSun, 20 November 2012 - 08:16.

[iiMac]

It was a smart and mature race in the performance of Vitaly. Perfect start, then he made a mistake (like many others), but fix it and achieved its objectives.
Using Alonso for overtake a Pic it was ePic...

Edited by iiMac, 26 November 2012 - 05:22.

[Shiroo]

deserves racing seat. Tbh I'm more impressed with Petrov this year than DiResta and few others drivers. Definetly worth his seat (if not real midfielder)

[TudorMiron]

Outperformed his highly regarded team mate - first in races and by the later 3d of the season in Quali as well. Hope he has a place in F1 2013

[Kingshark]

Anyone else seen this?

[sofarapartguy]

Anyone else seen this?

Free practice.

[Disgrace]

Whatever happened to the talk that the money was drying up?

[mechadaniel]

Whatever happened to the talk that the money was drying up?

It was Oksana who said he had lost some of his backing:

http://en.rian.ru/sp.../175523846.html

Petrov became the first Russian in F1 when he joined Renault in 2010, and now drives for Caterham, where his sponsors include Russian Helicopters, a company majority-owned by the government, while an earlier sponsor was the state-run Lada car maker.
“We have now lost government support,” Kosachenko said.
A Russian F1 driver could not hope to gather the necessary financial support from private sources, she said.

Maybe she found some money down the back of the sofa as the smart money is on him staying at Caterham