Vitaly Petrov has apologized to Renault after criticizing his team's plan calls and car upgrades during a television interview in his native Russia. Speaking on Friday, Petrov's manager Oksana Kossatchenko said that the 27-year-old had spoken to Russia 2 television in the heat of the instant after last weekend's race in Abu Dhabi but right away regret his comments.
It was an emotional interview,she said.It was an exception and he apologized afterwards to the team. It will never happen again.We are really sorry and the organization has discussed it with Vitaly already.
Kossatchenko said she had spoken to Renault team Principal Eric Boullier and owner Gerard Lopez. There was no instant remark from Renault, who are preparing for the season-ending race in Brazil next week. Petrov, who ended a lapped 13th in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, told the television channel that although his agreement barred him from saying anything bad about the team, he had to speak out.
We have lost positions in about 10 races or even more. Even without a fast car we could have gained good points, we could have ended with points if we had had a good plan.But I couldn't say in interviews that we lost it with the pit stops, and I cannot talk about that now either. But I can't keep silent any more - it is over. I can't keep everything inside anymore.
Petrov, Russia's first Formula One driver has a contract for next year although there has been some speculation about his future. The outburst triggered fresh conjecture about his relations with the team, who are changing their name to Lotus for 2012 after attainment an agreement with the rival team that currently carries the name.
Petrov finished third in the season-opening race in Australia but has scored just five points in the last 11 races. His team-mates have done no better, with Nick Heidfeld replaced in August by Bruno Senna, who has managed to score just two points since then. Petrov said that Renault's R31 car, which features an innovative forward-facing wear out, had been good for the first few races but the team had then failed to develop it.
When the wind tunnel developments came, the new parts, because of the front exhausts, they didn't work. We worked on the front wing, the rear wing, the diffusers, the floor - but whatever we changed it was useless, he said. Boullier, temporarily, has confirmed his meaning to have two big-name drivers in his cars from 2013.
It is looking ever more unlikely Robert Kubica will return for next season, although Boullier is prepared to give him a few more weeks to state whether he will be fit. If Kubica, who is ongoing with treatment after his serious rallying accident in February, indicate next year is too soon it leaves Boullier choosing from Petrov, Senna and Romain Grosjean.