Vitaly Petrov Joins Caterham F1 Team

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Caterham F1 Team announced Friday that Vitaly Petrov has joined the team as race driver, replacing Jarno Trulli with immediate effect. The Russian was at the Anglo-Malaysian team's factory in Hingham on Friday for a seat fitting session ahead of his first run with the team at the second pre-season test in Barcelona from Feb 21-24. "When we first met it was immediately clear that Vitaly understands and shares our vision of how we want our team to grow," team principal Tony Fernandes said in a statement. "As the first Russian to race in F1, he carries the hopes of a huge nation with ease and his talents, experience with one of our current competitors and insights on and off track will play a huge role in our development as we fight to join the established teams ahead," he noted. Petrov said he had been training hard all winter and was ready to get back into the cockpit and go to work. "From what I've already seen, our new car is another good step forward from 2011 and now I can't wait to see how it feels when we get to Barcelona," he said. Fernandes also thanked Trulli for the pivotal role he played in the formation and progression of the team since coming on board in December 2009. -- BERNAMA