Russian driver Vitaly Petrov says he will have a point to prove during the course of his debut season with Caterham in 2012.
Russian wants to show that he is a "good driver" during 2012
Russian driver Vitaly Petrov says he will have a point to prove during his debut season with Caterham in 2012.
Petrov looked to be without a drive for the coming campaign after being dumped by Lotus, then known as Renault, after two years with the team.
The 27-year-old could not find a seat elsewhere until he was given a shock reprieve when Caterham decided to bring him in to replace Italian veteran Jarno Trulli.
Petrov admits that he endured a tough off-season after losing his drive but always retained the hope that he would be picked up by another team.
"It was a difficult winter because I was told quite late they no longer wanted me because I was quite sure before they had said they did," Petrov said.
Grateful
"But my head never dropped. I always thought something would happen. I was quite clear in my mind to prepare for this year. Obviously, I am grateful to Caterham helping me."
Petrov has disputed accusations from his former boss Gerard Lopez, who suggested the Russian felt his seat was safe due to the numerous sponsors he brings with him.
Petrov added: "It's not right what he said about the sponsors. I thought he (Lopez) was quite happy with my driving, that he knew I had speed.
"But I can't look back. I know what I did well and not so well, and I have shown my career in Formula One is not finished. I now want to prove to a lot of people I am not just a driver, but a good driver."
Caterham, in their previous guise of Lotus, have been regulars towards the back of the grid since joining Formula One in 2010, although they have generally fared better than Marussia and HRT, who came into the sport at the same time.
They have not been able to secure a World Championship point over the last two years, but Petrov says the team must not start to panic and instead focus on improving the car.
Experience
"I've two years of experience that I bring to this team, and they have been in Formula One for two years so they know what they are doing," Petrov said.
"We don't have to focus on trying to collect the first point this year.
"We just have to focus on working the same way as we have done the past two years, to continue to improve the car, like they have with KERS, moving to the new factory.
"This team is getting bigger and bigger, they have a big future, and they have to continue to work the same way towards that.
"Of course, I know how it feels to want to get that first point, and for this team it must feel the same. So if I could bring them one point I would be more than happy."
