Petrov replaces Trulli at Caterham F1 team

Feb 17, 2012, 10:32 GMT

Berlin - Russian Vitaly Petrov has joined the Caterham Formula One team, replacing Jarno Trulli, the team said Friday.

Petrov, 27, will partner Heikki Kovalainen of Finland for the new F1 season which begins with the Australian Grand Prix on March 18.

He was at the team's factory in Hingham, England Friday for a seat fitting ahead of his first testing with the team from Tuesday in Barcelona.

Team principal Tony Fernandes said: 'We are all delighted to welcome Vitaly into our team and are very excited about the role he will play in helping us take the next steps forward in 2012 and for many years to come.

'When we first met it was immediately clear that Vitaly understands and shares our vision for how we want our team to grow.'

Petrov became the first Russian driver in Formula One when he signed for Renault in 2010, but he was dropped by the team, renamed Lotus Renault GP, at the end of last year.

Fernando thanked 37-year-old Trulli 'for the absolutely pivotal role he played in the formation and progression of our team since he joined us in December 2009.'

He added: 'Jarno knew that when he joined us it would be a very different environment to where he had been before, and when we gave him the package he wanted he absolutely shone.

'With that in mind it was not an easy decision to bring Vitaly in to replace Jarno, but it was one we made to ensure that we give fresh impetus across the whole team and with a realistic eye on the global economic market.'

The Malaysian-owned team is competing as Caterham for the first time in the 2012 season after racing as Team Lotus last year.