Petrov: “I wouldn't have risked an accident with Alonso”

Vitaly Petrov said he would not risk an accident with Fernando Alonso if the Ferrari driver attempted an attack to keep his title hopes alive. Alonso's race was ruined by his choice to pit on lap 14 to fit hard tyres. The Spaniard found himself behind Petrov's Renault which had already stopped during the safety car and was unable to overtake him for the entire race.

But Petrov made it clear that he was aware of the championship situation and although he was fighting with the Spaniard he would try to avoid a possible collision.

“I just did my job,” Petrov said. “If he had attempted an overtaking, then I wouldn't have wanted the contact, but it didn't happen. I came here to fight, and race like any other rider, and I think I showed today that I can fight. We pitted under the safety car, it was the right decision, and then I tried to push while controlling the tires because I knew that the strategy was to get to the finish line. There was a long battle with Fernando, but the car had good top speeds today so I was able to control the situation. I am proud of my team and the good work we have done."