T2 Grandstand of Sochi Autodrom named after Vitaly Petrov
The Grandstand is positioned in one of the sharpest corners of the racetrack. From here, fans can see cars braking from about 339 km/h before the most difficult section of the track that hardly exceeds one hundred meters. In several seconds a driver experience more than 5g, and the force of pressing the brake pedal is 126 kg. The second corner is a challenge for drivers, and even the smallest mistake can result in running off the track and losing precious seconds.
Vitaly Petrov Grandstand is equipped with two large screens and a PA system. Another advantage of the grandstand is that it is located near the Central Square of the Olympic Park – to get to the center of F1 Village, one just need to go down the stairs.
Vitaly Petrov: "I'm incredibly grateful to the organizers of the 2017 FORMULA 1 VTB RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX for the honor and respect shown to me. This is a really significant event in my life! I'm sure that the grandstand named after me will always be packed, because it is located in one of the most exciting places of the track, where at the end of a straight the cars accelerate to 339 km/h, and all twenty drivers attack each other at the entry of the second right-hand corner. Throughout the race, we will also see some amazing overtakes! Once again, thank you to all my fans, as well as Formula 1 fans. Be sure to come to the 2017 FORMULA 1 VTB RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX, there will be a lot of thrill, emotions and fantastic moments! We will definitely see each other at Sochi Autodrom!"
Now Sochi Autodrom will have two grandstands named after Formula 1 drivers. In 2014, T3 Grandstand was named after current Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat, who competes for Toro Rosso in 2017.
Background Information:
Vitaly Petrov, born in Vyborg, began his fast career in motorsport in 2001. Thanks to his successes, the young talented driver has been known as "Vyborg Rocket". Vitaly Petrov has put his name into the motorsport history books as the first Russian driver in the most prestigious and difficult world championship – Formula 1. His biggest achievement in Formula 1 was the third place at the Australian Grand Prix in 2011.
2016 3rd in 24 Hours of Le Mans race (LMP2); 3rd in 4 Hours of Estoril (European Le Mans Series); FIA WEC (World Endurance Championship), LMP2;
2014 DTM driver;
2012 Formula 1 driver, Caterham F1 Team;
2011 Formula 1 driver, Lotus Renault GP; 3rd in Australian Grand Prix;
2010 Formula 1 driver, Renault F1 Team;
2009 Winner and prize winner in GP2 rounds and GP2 Asia Series;
2008 Winner and prize winner in GP2 rounds, 3rd in GP2 Asia Series; participant of the International GT Open, GTS;
2007 Winner of the GP2 rounds, FIA WEC driver, LMP1; 24 Hours of Le-Mans driver, LMP2; International Formula Master Series driver;
2006 3rd in Formula 3000 Italy; 3rd in Euroseries 3000, multiple winner and prize-winner in Euroseries 3000 rounds; F3000 International Masters driver; GP2 Series driver;
2005 Formula1600 Russian Champion; Lada Revolution Cup Russia winner;
2004 Formula Renault 2.0 driver (Italy); Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup driver; Euro 3000 driver;
2003 Formula Renault 2.0 driver (UK); Formula Renault 2.0 driver (Italy); 4th in the Winter Series Formula Renault 2.0 (UK); Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup driver; Euro 3000 driver;
2002 Lada Cup Russia winner; Formula Russia Series driver;
2001 Lada Cup Russia winner.
