“The passion and spirit (team owner) Tony (Fernandes) and the whole team have
to keep moving forwards is infectious.
“I am honoured to be able to join them and play my part in helping the team
mount a serious challenge to the teams ahead in 2012 and for many seasons to
come.
“I have been training hard all winter and am ready to get back into the
cockpit and go to work.
“From what I have seen already, our new car is another good step forward from
2011, and now I cannot wait to see how it feels when we get to Barcelona
(for the second test next week).”
Fernandes has confirmed reaching an agreement with Trulli who does not even
have a role as reserve given Dutchman Geido van der Garde occupies that
position.
Appreciating the difficulty in axing Trulli, in particular as he played “a
pivotal role” in the formation of the team just over two years ago,
Fernandes said: “Jarno knew that when he joined us it would be a very
different environment to where he had been before.
“When we gave him the package he wanted he absolutely shone. With that in mind
it was not an easy decision to bring Vitaly in to replace Jarno.
“But it was one we made to ensure we give fresh impetus across the whole team
and with a realistic eye on the global economic market.
“Jarno has an incredible natural talent behind the wheel, and his winning
record and longevity in the sport will bear testament to that talent in the
Formula One annals forever.
“But now it is time to open a new chapter in our team’s story, and Vitaly is
the right person to help us do that.”
Fernandes will now likely tap into the Russian market to bring in new
sponsors, but it is Petrov’s ability he believes will take the team forward.
“His talents and 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,” added Fernandes.
“Now we want to integrate Vitaly as quickly as possible into the team.
“We will do everything we can to welcome him in, give him a car he can use to
showcase his skills, and keep up the rate of development that has seen us go
from an empty factory with just four employees to a fully established
Formula One team in just over two years.”