Vitaly Petrov: “I'm still learning about F1 and I want to improve with every race”

Petrov, one of the rookies of this F1, is preparing to face this race on the Silverstone circuit, steeped in history and where he has already raced in GP2.

After the GP in Valencia, what experience do you carry with you?

“In Valencia, we brought various updates to the track, the car was quite different and I had to adapt my driving style. I managed to improve my qualifying and get into Q3, although unfortunately in the race I wasn't able to get beyond tenth place.

At the start I didn't want to risk too much and I avoided the accident with the Force Indias because I wanted to finish the race and understand the car better: in Valencia it's really difficult to overtake and I limited myself to following De la Rosa closely."

After nine races in the premier class, what reflections do you have looking back?

“It's difficult to say something… I still have a mixture of emotions inside me that are difficult to describe. I'm still learning and getting to know this F1 and I try to improve myself at each race by working closely with my engineers and technicians and I'm amazed to see how much work goes into a team to try to bring the best of their skills to the track. I'm working very well with Robert and if we work even harder, I think we could even overtake Mercedes by the end of the year."

You already competed in GP2 at Silverstone but the layout has changed. What do you think of the new section?

“The main characteristics of the track have been maintained, the route is only slightly longer. Silverstone is one of the most difficult tracks due to the corners you have to take under full acceleration, there are also some straights, but I don't think they are long enough to allow overtaking."

With what spirit do you approach the British GP?

“I can't wait to get on track to test the package of updates we have prepared for Silverstone. As in Valencia, here too it is difficult to overtake and qualifying will be very important again, I absolutely have to get into the top ten again, then, Enstone is nearby and this race represents a bit of a home race for the guys from team and it is for them that I would like to bring a good result in my pocket."

Eleonora Ottonello