Mercedes gives Vitaly Petrov DTM test

Former Formula 1 driver, Vitaly Petrov, will test one of Mercedes’ DTM C-Coupes at a DTM test at Portimao, on January 23rd.

Petrov, 29, was the first Russian in Formula 1, and between 2010-2012, made 57 starts with the Renault, Lotus Renault and Caterham F1 teams.

He was also the first Russian driver to drive a DTM car.

In the run up to the inaugural DTM round at the Moscow Raceway in August 2013, Petrov drove Mercedes’ DTM C-Coupe at the Moscow City Racing promotional event, which ran around Red Square in the centre of the Russian capital.

On the first Russian DTM weekend, Petrov took to the Moscow Raceway in Mercedes’ ‘race taxi’ as further promotional activity.

“I’m absolutely delighted and really grateful to Mercedes for inviting me to test drive one of their DTM cars,” said Petrov. “This test is a great opportunity to get back in the cockpit of a high-performance racing car.

“I got my first impression of the DTM last year when I drove in the Moscow City Racing event and took the wheel of a DTM racing taxi for Mercedes at the Moscow Raceway during the DTM race weekend.

“I had never driven such a car before and the demo laps were fantastic fun. I’ve been especially impressed by the way the C-Coupe handles in the corners.”

Mercedes’ head of motorsport, Toto Wolff, added that the increasing popularity of the DTM in Russia, as well as the significance of the Russian market to the brand was pivotal in including Petrov in the test.

“Russia is a highly significant market for the DTM and for Mercedes-Benz.

“Following the success of the DTM debut at the Moscow Raceway last year, the interest of Russian fans in the series has grown considerably.”

Mercedes has yet to reveal the rest of its 2014 DTM drivers, with only Gary Paffett and Paul di Resta confirmed.