MOSCOW, August 13 (R-Sport) – Russian autosports fans’ dreams of Vitaly Petrov revving up a Marussia car at his home Grand Prix in Sochi next year took a step, however small, toward coming true Tuesday as the Formula One driver refused to "rule it out."
After three years in autosport's most prestigious series, the 28-year-old could not find a financial backer to compete this season. His interest in backmarker Marussia comes a few weeks after the team announced a deal with Ferrari that gives it more sway in the sport, and potentially more speed on the track.
"I'll be negotiating with everybody," Petrov said in comments to a Russian political website. "I don't rule out Marussia too. Sooner or later Marussia could step up to a high level, and it would be great and really interesting if a Russian driver turned out for a Russian team."
The signs are Marussia would be open to the partnership. "We want a Russian driver, but we want a Russian driver there on merit," executive director Andy Webb said in an interview with R-Sport last month, before acknowledging Petrov as a viable option for next season.
Marussia have not earned a single point since they joined F1 in 2010 as Virgin Racing, something Petrov suggested earlier this month was unacceptable.
“I need to understand their plans, what they want and how they want to be in F1 – just to have a car and drive or they want to grow up,” he said, adding he was prepared to “sit down” for talks with Marussia management.
Petrov is the only Russian to have participated in F1, spending three seasons with Renault and Caterham. Over that time, he racked up 64 points and one podium, finishing third at the Australian Grand Prix in 2011.
In July, Marussia announced a deal to use Ferrari engines, gearboxes and KERS power boost systems from next season, also handing the team a powerful political ally in the sport.
