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Petrov's manager laments lack of Russian backing

Vitaly Petrov with manager Oksana Kosachenko © Sutton Images

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Vitlay Petrov's manager says her driver must secure more funding from Russia if he is to stay in Formula One.

Petrov is currently driving for Caterham after spending his first two years in Formula One at Renault with the help of financial backing to secure his place on the grid. However, his manager Oksana Kosachenko revealed that a lack of sponsorship from his own country means he is essentially driving for nothing and warned that unless Russian companies start to show an interest he may have to reconsider his future in the sport.

"If the presence of a Russian driver in Formula One will be interesting to no one else but Vitaly Petrov and Oksana Kosachenko, we'll find what to do outside the grand prix," she told Sport-Express. "Formula One is great and very prestigious, but for Vitaly it's a job that brings no money. Why? There are many reasons. In Russia, it's difficult to sell an athlete, but to sell a Formula One driver - is almost impossible,"

Meanwhile, Petrov is heading into the second half of the season hoping for better results now that Caterham has moved to its new factory in Leafield.

"The whole team is heading to Spa in a very good mood," he said. "The factory move was done without any problems during the break and that puts us in a great position to keep fighting for the second half of the season. We may not have achieved what we set out to so far this season, but we're getting there and with Leafield now up and running, we have everything in place to bridge the gap to the cars ahead."

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