Petrov prepares for Russian extravaganza with Renault

Russian fans will get a taste of F1 next month when local hero and Renault F1 Team driver Vitaly Petrov heads to Moscow for a series of F1 demonstrations on the streets of the Russian capital on 18 July.

The team will take its three-seater F1 car to the Moscow City Racing event, giving Vitaly the first opportunity to drive an F1 car in his home country. And with two passenger seats up for grabs, some lucky guests will also get the rare chance to experience the thrill of F1 power.

The event will take place on a temporary 4.5km circuit built around Red Square, near the walls of the Kremlin, in the heart of Moscow. With excellent viewing opportunities, it’s a rare chance for Russian fans to experience the sight and sound of an F1 car being put through its paces.

What’s more, one lucky Russian fan will be able to win the chance to accompany Vitaly in the three-seater. Full details of the competition can be found on the Russian-language version of the team’s website and official website of Vitaly Petrov, while entries can be made through the team’s official page on vKontakte, Russia’s largest social network.

Russia’s only F1 star will be making several appearances around Moscow in the build up to this spectacular event. Vitaly will try his hand at sushi making at a Bridgestone event on Friday 16 July before heading to Red Square on Saturday for an autograph session at GUM, Moscow’s biggest department store. It is there that the lucky winner of a ride in the three-seater F1 car will be announced.

On Saturday afternoon there’s a chance for the media to test their driving skills against Vitaly in a special go-kart challenge in Volgogradsky Prospect. The event will also be open to aspiring Russian racing drivers, giving them the opportunity to race against their F1 hero. Before leaving Russia, Vitaly will pay a visit to Lada’s headquarters in Togliatti on Monday 19 July. Looking ahead to this exciting event, Vitaly Petrov said: “I’m really excited to be going to Moscow. It will be my first chance to drive an F1 car in Russia and the first time on the streets of a city. The Russian fans don’t usually have the chance to see an F1 car up close so I will do my best to put on a special show. It’s also a good chance for me to thank the fans for all the support they have given me this year.”

The Moscow City Racing event marks the third time the Renault F1 Roadshow has visited Russia. In 2005 the team took its cars to Moscow for one of the very first Roadshow events, while just last year the team staged a spectacular show on the streets of Sochi.

With the simple philosophy of making the sport accessible to the fans, it’s the chance to see the world’s fastest cars up close and personal in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.