No more Russians in F1 anytime soon

Vitaly Petrov’s manager, Oksana Kosachenko, say she does not see another Russian driver who can join her client in the Formula 1 any time soon.

Kosachenko said her client had five offers from five different Formula 1 teams ahead of the 2010 season. The Russian’s move to Renault became possible only because of her close relations with the chief of the Renault team.“Renault chief Eric Boullier is an old friend of mine. Our friendship was not related to motor racing. And once I called Eric on the phone and he said: ‘When you are in Paris next time, let me know.’ And I was in Paris at that very moment, not far from him. As a result, we met in 15 minutes, and Boullier said: ‘I’m being appointed as Renault F-1 chief. I’m thinking of inviting Petrov,’" Petrov’s manager explained to Sovetsky Sport newspaper.

She confirmed the information that after they signed a contract with Renault, she wrote a letter to Vladimir Putin asking him to support Petrov, the first Russian in F1, and many companies expressed a desire to aid the driver after that.

“They really called, offered help, but only in advice. Nobody brought us any money," she said.

But Petrov’s Formula 1 ascent cost Kosachenko a lot as she put everything at stake, losing her family in the end. And for now she does not see any other Russian capable of repeating his journey to the top of motor sports.

“I’m not sure about the second. If everything goes well for Vitaly, he’ll have seven or eight years in Formula 1. And it’s a big question weather this time will be enough for another Russian to break through. I think, at best, it’ll take six years," Kosachenko said.

She also said that it’s absolutely incorrect to call the Formula 1 world a “hangout".

“It’s not a hangout. It’s hard labor. Everybody smiles at you in the eyes here, gives you hug and kisses. But if you say something excessive, they’ll never forget about it. The field is a snake pit. We are all snakes – bigger and smaller. Someone’s skin is shining, and someone’s isn’t," she stressed. rt.com