Vitaly Petrov will replace Jarno Trulli at Caterham for the 2012 season with immediate effect, the outfit confirmed on Friday.
Rumours that Petrov would partner Heikki Kovalainen at the outfit had been circulating for several weeks now, but with repeated confirmation that Trulli’s seat was secure, the speculation had begun to calm.
Petrov, who raced for Renault (now Lotus) in 2010 and 2011 was dropped by the outfit in favour of Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean – it looked unlikely that he would be on the grid come Melbourne.
The Russian driver hailed Caterham’s decision, which is no doubt financially motivated.
“This is a very exciting day for me,” said Petrov. “I would like to thank Tony, Kamarudin Meranun and SM Nasarudin for giving me the chance to join a team that made its F1 debut at the same time as me, and has grown from one of the new teams to a serious force for future honours.
“The passion and spirit that Tony and the whole team have to keep moving forwards is infectious, and I am honoured to be able to join them and play my part in helping the team mount a serious challenge to the teams ahead in 2012 and for many seasons to come.
“I have been training hard all winter and am ready to get back into the cockpit and go to work. From what I have seen already, our new car is another good step forward from 2011 and now I cannot wait to see how it feels when we get to Barcelona. I would also like to take this chance to thank all my fans and partners for their support and their patience.”
The move sees Trulli without a race seat, the first time he won’t be on the grid since his debut in 1997 with the Minardi outfit and the first time an Italian won’t be on the grid since 1970.
“I want to take this chance to thank Tony, Kamarudin, SM Nasarudin, Riad, Mike and everyone in the team for the two seasons we had together,” said the 37-year-old.
“From zero we built up and established a solid F1 team. I’m really proud to have been part of it. I understand the decision the team has made and I want to wish to the whole team the very best of luck for the season ahead.”
Caterham team owner and principal Tony Fernandes added: “It was not an easy decision to bring Vitaly in to replace Jarno, but it was one we made to ensure that we give fresh impetus across the whole team and with a realistic eye on the global economic market.
“Jarno has an incredible natural talent behind the wheel, and his winning record and longevity in the sport will bear testament to that talent in the Formula 1 annals forever, but now it is time to open a new chapter in our team’s story, and Vitaly is the right person to help us do that.”
