Russian drivers for 2014?

[grano123]

Following on from Petrov's manager telling the F1 world that she will take him out of F1 unless a team is prepared to pay him to drive, one assumes after the last race this year, Vitaly will become an ex-F1 driver.

In which case, will there be a Russian driver on the grid at the 2014 Sochi Russian Grand Prix? If so, who is that likely to be, as I don't see Petrov making a financial comeback and don't really know what emerging talent there is in Russia either. But also one assumes that both Putin and probably Bernie, would want a Russian driver in the race?

[SeijaKessen]

If this winds up being Petrov's final season in F1, I certainly would not lament him no longer being on the grid.

There's nothing about him I find to be remarkable. He's not a bad driver by any means, but he is not a standout either.

Edit: I don't know if there are any other talented Russian drivers out there in lesser race series. Does anyone know?

[JackHammer]

Edit: I don't know if there are any other talented Russian drivers out there in lesser race series. Does anyone know?

The only one I can think of is Mikhail Aleshin, Formula Renault 3.5 champion a few years back

[timbo]

There is Daniil Kvyat who's doing great in Formula Renault 2.0, but he's still too young.

[Polarbear]

What about Suranovich? Currently driving in GP3 for Marussia - possible step up in time for 2014?

[netoperek]

Regardless of potential drivers, it's quite interesting financial-wise. Russia is a specific market, with quite a lot of incredibly wealthy people and, on the other hand, huge masses with significant political meaning, not very rich though. Therefore, Russian driver on line-up for first Russian GP has some substantial value for the team or its sponsors.
Assuming, by 2014 Petrov will still be the best and most noticable Russian driver available, for which team it would be the most profitable to have him in a car? Prestigious car maker like Ferrari, McLaren or maybe Mercedes to target the richest part of Russian society? Or maybe huge sponsorship deal with a brand targeting the masses? Or maybe both? How do You think?

[grano123]

Regardless of potential drivers, it's quite interesting financial-wise. Russia is a specific market, with quite a lot of incredibly wealthy people and, on the other hand, huge masses with significant political meaning, not very rich though. Therefore, Russian driver on line-up for first Russian GP has some substantial value for the team or its sponsors.
Assuming, by 2014 Petrov will still be the best and most noticable Russian driver available, for which team it would be the most profitable to have him in a car? Prestigious car maker like Ferrari, McLaren or maybe Mercedes to target the richest part of Russian society? Or maybe huge sponsorship deal with a brand targeting the masses? Or maybe both? How do You think?

My opinion, by 2014 Petrov will very much be an ex F1 driver, As for the best Russian driver............doubtful. The only current Russian F1 driver..........yes he is. I would imagine if the Russians themselves thought Petrov was very hot property, they would be adding funding to him, as opposed to stopping it. He's a competent F1 driver, he is not a star and never will be..........no more, no less than that.