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Petrov blasts 'unsafe' Mugello

Image: Vitaly Petrov: On track at Mugello

Vitaly Petrov has blasted the Mugello Circuit, where the teams have been testing this week, as too unsafe for Formula 1.

Caterham driver says test should not have been held on the track

Vitaly Petrov has blasted the Mugello Circuit, where the teams have been testing this week, as too unsafe for Formula 1. The high-speed track is owned by Ferrari, who pressed for the test to be held at the Tuscany-based venue after teams agreed to shift the three-day session previously held during the winter to after the opening four flyaway races. Outside of Ferrari, Mugello was rarely used by F1 teams prior to the heavy restrictions places on testing for cost reasons in recent years, the circuit only occasionally used on the way back from the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola. This week, as the track staged its first full F1 test, reports emerged suggesting that the venue was considering bidding to host a Grand Prix, but speaking after his sole day in action at the test on Wednesday, Caterham driver Petrov expressed the view that the Italian circuit was too dangerous for cars capable of over 200mph "Some of the drivers don't think that it is good testing here and I have to agree it is a very dangerous track, that has limited run off areas," the Russian was quoted by Auto Bild. "The walls are very close to the track and if you miss the apex of one of the fast chicanes you will have a big crash. "During the first two sectors, we are in fifth or sixth gear nearly all the time. "The track is too narrow for my taste. Even a small problem with the car such as a decrease in car pressure will lead to a major accident." The Russian's comments were in stark contrast to the views expressed by many of his fellow drivers during the course of the three-day test - no more so than Red Bull's Mark Webber, who on Tuesday night tweeted: "Did 10 dry laps today around Mugello, which is the same as doing 1000 laps around Abu Dhabi track in terms of satisfaction.#realtracks #fast."

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