How Petrov proved his star quality
Vitaly Petrov's third place in Melbourne was one of the season-opener's big shocks, but Renault's top men were always convinced the Russian had it in him, as they explained to Adam Cooper
There was so much to talk about after the Australian Grand Prix that Vitaly Petrov's third place for Renault went largely unheralded. It was a brilliant performance by the Russian and his team, and while inevitably we all wondered 'what would Robert Kubica have done with that car,' the race showed that Petrov is much stronger than he was a year ago.
Not only is he more experienced, but the dynamic in the camp has changed, and he's seized the opportunity provided by Kubica's enforced absence to make his mark.
Hamilton has “full faith” in Mercedes after checking out W15 in wind tunnel
Hamilton has “full faith” in Mercedes after checking out W15 in wind tunnel Hamilton has “full faith” in Mercedes after checking out W15 in wind tunnel
The gizmo-laden Williams F1 car that allowed Prost to retire on top
The gizmo-laden Williams F1 car that allowed Prost to retire on top The gizmo-laden Williams F1 car that allowed Prost to retire on top
Ricciardo: AlphaTauri no longer a junior F1 team
Ricciardo: AlphaTauri no longer a junior F1 team Ricciardo: AlphaTauri no longer a junior F1 team
Hamilton: FIA behaviour on Toto and Susie Wolff is “unacceptable”
Hamilton: FIA behaviour on Toto and Susie Wolff is “unacceptable” Hamilton: FIA behaviour on Toto and Susie Wolff is “unacceptable”
FIA formalises ban on 2026 F1 aero testing
FIA formalises ban on 2026 F1 aero testing FIA formalises ban on 2026 F1 aero testing
Vasseur: Ferrari F1 team mustn’t think Red Bull has a “magic bullet” to replicate
Vasseur: Ferrari F1 team mustn’t think Red Bull has a “magic bullet” to replicate Vasseur: Ferrari F1 team mustn’t think Red Bull has a “magic bullet” to replicate
Ocon switches to “war mode” after “wasted opportunity” in F1 2023
Ocon switches to “war mode” after “wasted opportunity” in F1 2023 Ocon switches to “war mode” after “wasted opportunity” in F1 2023
Albon says 2023 was his strongest season in F1
Albon says 2023 was his strongest season in F1 Albon says 2023 was his strongest season in F1
Norris couldn’t ask for better F1 team principal than Stella
Norris couldn’t ask for better F1 team principal than Stella Norris couldn’t ask for better F1 team principal than Stella
Lamborghini “satisfied” to log over 1,000km in first US test at Daytona
Lamborghini “satisfied” to log over 1,000km in first US test at Daytona Lamborghini “satisfied” to log over 1,000km in first US test at Daytona
Why size really does matter when it comes to club racing grids
Why size really does matter when it comes to club racing grids Why size really does matter when it comes to club racing grids
Martin “didn’t enjoy” pressure of being a MotoGP title fighter
Martin “didn’t enjoy” pressure of being a MotoGP title fighter Martin “didn’t enjoy” pressure of being a MotoGP title fighter
How McLaren revitalised a hybrid lemon into an F1 history-maker
How McLaren revitalised a hybrid lemon into an F1 history-maker How McLaren revitalised a hybrid lemon into an F1 history-maker
The gizmo-laden Williams F1 car that allowed Prost to retire on top
The gizmo-laden Williams F1 car that allowed Prost to retire on top The gizmo-laden Williams F1 car that allowed Prost to retire on top
The long term potential that elevates F1 2023’s star appointment
The long term potential that elevates F1 2023’s star appointment The long term potential that elevates F1 2023’s star appointment
How F1's Verstappen era compares to Schumacher's early 2000s dominance
How F1's Verstappen era compares to Schumacher's early 2000s dominance How F1's Verstappen era compares to Schumacher's early 2000s dominance
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.