Vitaly Petrov believes Caterham can challenge midfield runners – Formula 1 news
Vitaly Petrov says that Caterham plans to target the midfield teams in the upcoming 2012 season.
Caterham was the first team to unveil its 2012 challenger. It has remained low key since then, especially as major teams like Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren have had technical issues with their cars during the pre-test, Ferrari the most out of the three.
Teams like Lotus, Sauber and Force India have shown good promise and remained in some limelight over their progress. On the other hand Caterham quietly worked away completed the laps and remained mostly unnoticed throughout the pre-season tests.
Petrov drove for Lotus previously known as Renault, in 2011 but was dropped by the team for the 2012 season. The Russian got a second chance with Caterham to prove his worth in the upcoming season.
“Melbourne is obviously somewhere that will always be very special for me,” said Petrov. “Last year I scored my first F1 podium there and was given a really good welcome by all the Australian fans so I'm sure it will be the same again this year. I think
it's pretty clear we won't be in a position to fight for a podium again but I think the goal will be to push the midfield teams as hard as we can and who knows what could happen.”
Petrov along with his teammate Heikki Kovalainen will strive to strike the right balance in order to achieve their 2012 targets. The team did well in the last two seasons to finish in the top 10 of the constructors’ championship. The result benefited the
team with a hefty prize winning of around $86 million, almost twice as much as they received in 2010.
Now the team looks to finish in the midfields but it is not going to be an easy task, as Sauber, Force India, Toro Rosso and Lotus all look really strong. It will be very pleasing to see a weaker team come up the ranks, it will definitely make the sport
a little less lop sided and a lot more interesting.
The season begins on March 18, 2012 with the opening race to be held in Melbourne.
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