Vitaly Petrov becomes first Russian Formula 1 driver after winning Renault race seat

Date published : 31 Jan 2010 - 20:01:54

Last season's GP2 runner-up, whose race seat was confirmed on Sunday at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, is understood to have landed his place on the grid with the team partly thanks to the considerable financial support he has. The talented 25 year-old from Vyborg will partner Poland's Robert Kubica.  Related ArticlesHamilton and Button unveil McLaren MP4-25Button warned by KovalainenFerrari unveil the new F10Briatore to sue FIAFIA to launch appeal over Flavio Briatore banSport on televisionRenault also broke new ground when Ho-Pin Tung became the first Chinese driver to be named in an F1 team line-up. The Dutch-born 27 year-old, already the first Chinese national to drive a grand prix car, will be Renault's official third (reserve) driver this season. Tung will race in GP2. Renault, predominantly owned by Luxembourg-based private investment firm Genii Capital following their buy-out in early December, also took the wraps off their new challenger, the R30. The team's new livery is now a striking yellow and black.