Vitaly Petrov awaits sponsor’s decision as F1 driver registration deadline approaches

Russian Formula 1 driver Vitaly Petrov still hasn’t secured a place in a Formula 1 team next season as the registration deadline (set for February 10) approaches.

In an interview to RIA Novosti the Russian’s manager Oksana Kosachenko admitted that the potential deal is being held up by an unnamed financial backer, who is delaying his decision.

«Of course, he is not very comfortable because we expected them to move a little bit faster,» she said, adding one particular financial backer was holding up the process. Without these decisions, we cannot move forward,» said Kosachenko.

Petrov, currently staying in Oxford, England, became Russia’s first representative in F1, but his contract with Lotus Renault expired at the end of last season. With HRT’s signing of signing Indian driver Narain Kartikeyan last week all the vacancies have been filled, but, the agent insisted «other options» were still available to the Russian driver.

However, she refused to comment on speculations that they were in talks with the Caterham team to oust veteran driver Jarno Trulli and replace him with Petrov.