Petrov will replace Jarno Trulli at Caterham-Renault. Mark Thompson/Getty Images
The Caterham F1 team announced that it would be dropping Italian Jarno Trulli in favour of Russia's Vitaly Petrov on Friday. Trulli, a former race winner who has eleven podium finishes to his name was the constant subject of speculation regarding his race seat despite being confirmed as the
team's second driver when the team unveiled its new CT01 last month.
Petrov, who had scored a podium finish in last year's season opening Australian Grand Prix for Renault (now Lotus F1) was dropped by the team at the end of the season, which had put the future of his F1 career in doubt after spending two years at Renault. The Russian finished 10th in last year's championship standings after scoring 37 points, 15 of which he scored as a result of his third place finish at the Australian GP.
Trulli is now left without a drive in F1 with all the other already filled. The Italian made his F1 debut with the Minardi team (now Toro Rosso) in 1997 and became renowned for possessing extremely good speed over a single lap, which made him something of a qualifying specialist. He won the 2004 Monaco GP from pole position, which remains his sole victory in F1.