Vitaly Petrov apologized to LRGP

It all started with Vitaly Petrov’s statements on Russian television following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix during which the British team’s cars had not particularly shone, failing to reach the top 10. The driver had severely criticized his team, talking about ineffective upgrades on the cars as well as poor strategies and bungled pit stops by his team.

Following the controversy, the Renault driver wanted to address an email to the Enstone team staff to apologize: « During an interview given to Russian television after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, I expressed myself in an inappropriate manner. I criticized the team, your work, and our lack of performance. It was unnecessary, and I wish to apologize. »

« I’m not trying to ask for forgiveness, but I was still under the influence of the race’s emotions, I was exhausted just like you, and I was very disappointed not to have made it into the top 10. But I realize that the season is as tough for you as it is for me, and I regret having made such statements. »

« Once again, I want to apologize and I promise you that this will not happen again. We have all done our best this season and I still have one more opportunity next weekend, in Brazil, to make you proud. I will do everything to give a better image of myself there, better than the one I have given lately. »

On his side, the team principal of Lotus Renault GP Eric Boullier stated that the incident was now closed: « Vitaly’s interview was done just after he got out of the car », adding: « the race had been complicated, he was disappointed not to have scored points, and he was exhausted. Drivers are not robots, they are human beings. Moreover, like any driver, Vitaly is a competitor: if he had been on the podium in Abu Dhabi, he would have complained about not winning the race. »

This incident is nothing more than a simple incident. Vitaly has apologized and sent an email to all Enstone staff. As far as we are concerned, the incident is closed, concluded the LRGP team principal.