Vitaly Aleksandrovich Petrov is a Russian racing driver, who currently competes in the 2025 Middle East Trophy for SMP Racing, He previously competed in Formula One from 2010 to 2012.
Petrov at the 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix
Petrov took his first win of the 2009 GP2 Series season at the Turkish round.
When Petrov drove for Renault at the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix, it was the first time a Russian had driven in the Formula One World Championship.
Petrov driving for Renault at the 2010 Canadian Grand Prix.
The 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 65th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. The original calendar for the 2011 Formula One World Championship consisted of twenty rounds, including
Vitaly Petrov
…to win the title. After the 2010 season ended, Renault team boss Éric Boullier said that there was a good chance of Petrov remaining with the team in 2011. On 22 December 2010, he was retained by the team on a two-year deal. During the close season, the team were rebranded 'Lotus Renault GP' following a…
Reigning Champion Sebastian Vettel successfully defended his World Championship, replacing Fernando Alonso as the youngest double World Champion in Formula One history.
2009 Champion Jenson Button (pictured in 2012) came in second behind Vettel by a then record gap of 122 points.
Mark Webber, Vettel's teammate, finished third in the championship for the second season in a row.
The season started with controversy when two teams using the Lotus name were entered onto the grid, Lotus Renault GP (foreground) and Team Lotus (background).