Vitaly Petrov: “Determined to fight”

At 26 years old, the Russian is looking forward to his second season in Formula 1 with the desire to build on the lessons from a formative first year.

Vitaly Petrov, you’re starting your second season in F1 with Lotus Renault GP. How are you feeling?

I am really proud to be here and I hope we can achieve great things. The team has shown me a lot of trust and I have the chance this year to show everyone that it was justified.

Do you feel ready?

Everyone knows that 2010 wasn’t easy for me, but after a season in F1, I feel more confident and ready to take on the challenge of 2011. I know what I need to change, where I can improve, and I am determined to do well and fight for this team.

You’re no longer a beginner, you know how F1 works. Will this change your approach?

2010 was a long season and I learned a lot. So, naturally, I come back with more experience and as a better driver. I now understand how difficult F1 is on all levels and I know that the slightest mistake can ruin a weekend. My goal this year is to ensure everything is in order, to maximize all practice sessions, and to stay focused throughout the weekend.

Your opinion on the new regulations?

I believe they are good for F1. I also know that the team has worked hard to get the most out of the technology on the car. I will still have new things to learn because I have never used the KERS and the movable rear wing is new for everyone. But I think the biggest challenge will be getting used to the new tires. We will certainly spend a good part of the winter tests trying to understand them.

What are your goals?

It’s always difficult to answer that at this time of year. Even when testing has started, it’s not easy to determine who is the strongest. It will only be at the first race in Bahrain that we will know who did the best work this winter. So, it’s difficult for me to set objectives in these conditions.

How did you prepare for this season?

I returned home to Russia to spend some vacation time with my family and friends. It was a chance to simply relax and really disconnect for a while. Then, I got back into some physical training, played a bit of football, and went cross-country skiing. At the beginning of January, I came back to England to spend a lot of time in Enstone. It’s important because it strengthens my ties with the engineers, the mechanics, and the people around me. By being settled near the factory and present all week, I hope to have prepared myself as best as possible for this new season.