Petrov Pirelli test driver in 2012?

Vitaly Petrov was not retained by the Lotus F1 Team for the 2012 season, so he is looking for another seat. But the only available seat is with the HRT team. Petrov was aiming for a spot at Caterham F1, but Jarno Trulli is expected to have his contract honored for 2012.

The management team of the first Russian to take part in a Formula 1 Grand Prix was hoping to secure a role as a reserve and testing driver at Caterham. But Petrov’s future seems to have taken a new turn. He was present today in Abu Dhabi at the presentation of the new Pirelli tires. He is therefore reportedly in negotiations with Pirelli to become a test driver in 2012.

Paul Hembery, the head of competition at Pirelli, acknowledged that the Italian manufacturer might recruit a driver who was on the grid in 2011 to conduct tests this year.

«We will see how it goes. There is always a lot of development work to do with the tires, and we would be delighted to have a driver who had race experience last year,» said Paul Hembery to Autosport.

If the Russian driver is chosen, he will be responsible for the tire testing for 2013 alongside Lucas di Grassi, who also seems likely to be extended as a test driver for Pirelli.