Petrov waiting for right opportunity in F1

The 23-year-old scored the biggest success for a Russian driver when he took his maiden GP2 win at Valencia last month, but speaking in an interview with Russian publication Kommersant, he says that he will not jump at a chance in F1 if it means racing at the back of the grid.

"I could drive in F1 now or be a test driver at least," said Petrov. "But I'm a perfectionist in nature, I don't want to drive a Spyker, Toro Rosso, and Super Aguri.

"I don't want to hurry and don't think it's a good idea to sign a contract with one of the outsiders. If the team doesn't show results, there will be no interest towards the team nor to its driver."

Petrov confirmed that he had received offers from the teams he mentioned, and he added that while he has the financial backing to pay for a drive in F1 already, he does not want to get into the sport in that way.

"There are two ways of becoming an F1 driver," he said. "By means of money or by invitation from a team.

"We don't have problems with budget, but it's clear which way is more attractive. For money, I could drive for not the worst team."

Petrov also drew comparisons with his countryman Roman Rusinov, who tested for Midland in 2005.

"Why should I envy those who participated in test drives?" he said. "Did they become famous drivers or superstars? Did Roman Rusinov become one of them due to testing?

"But my age is pressing. I can spend a couple of years in GP2, but then will be the time for the main decision in my career."

Petrov finished 13th in the standings in his first full season of racing in the 2007 GP2 Series with Campos Grand Prix.