Injured Robert Kubica, is said to have enjoyed the 2011 season opener from the comfort of his hospital room and sent a text message to team-boss Eric Boullier to congratulate Petrov on his podium.
Kubica was said to be over-the-moon with the pace of the car, and said it looked even stronger than it did in pre-season testing.
Kubica’s manager, Daniele Morelli, who sat and watched the race with him, said Kubica was “impressed and moved” by the tributes and best wishes from his colleagues at Renault and the other teams.
Renault is still assessing whether it will be Russian, Petrov, or F1 veteran,Nick Heidfeld, who will best stand in for Kubica as the clear team leader.
Boullier spoke highly of Petrov, insisting that he had upped his game since 2010, “He was nowhere a year ago, not zero, but Formula 1 is a challenge. He is now a guy who clearly has his place in Formula 1,”
“He made some good progress but knowing the pace of Robert, whether he could have been better or worse, I don’t want to think of it.”
Nick Heidfeld was hindered in Australia by a damaged side pod, the German will be keen to show his true pace in Sepang.
