Petrov: It was easy and nothing special
Credit: PlanetF1.com (http://www.planetf1.com)
Vitaly Petrov feels Ferrari and not himself should have been the target for Fernando Alonso's anger after the Spaniard missed out on becoming a three-time Formula One World Champion.
Petrov produced his best drive of the season in Abu Dhabi, one that may yet result in the Russian being retained by Renault for 2011.
Petrov managed to keep a frustrated Alonso behind him for the final 40 laps after Ferrari made a mess of their pit-stop strategy.
It resulted in Alonso finishing a wretched seventh, when all that was required was fourth behind winner and new Champion Sebastian Vettel.
When Alonso finally caught up with Petrov on the slow-down lap, the 29-year-old gesticulated furiously towards him as if to say 'what were you doing?'
Alonso later accused Petrov of being aggressive, a remark the Russian has vehemently dismissed.
"I did my race, the maximum that I could," he said. "I cannot let one car pass me because it is racing.
"Look at Sebastian in 2008. He was behind (Lewis) Hamilton, who was going for the title, in the final race in Brazil.
"But he passed Lewis, who almost lost the Championship. He was also not thinking about who he was battling with.
"So I didn't do anything other than I kept pushing. I like battles and things like this, but I wasn't aggressive.
"That was a normal race. I won't let anybody pass easily. I want to show I am not here to just drive around for fun.
"I am here to work, so I don't want to lose this opportunity. I was not aggressive. It was simple, easy and nothing special."
Despite Alonso's gesture which Petrov witnessed, he opted not to confront the double World Champion after the race.
"He was angry so there was no reason to talk to him," added Petrov.
"I would be angry if I was in his situation, but he should be angry with himself or his team because they maybe did the wrong strategy or something.
"If he had got close enough to attack then maybe I wouldn't have fought with him too much because I wouldn't have wanted to have touched him as he was fighting for the Championship.
"But only once was he close enough to attack. I closed my position and then I drove normally around the circuit.
"He did not have another opportunity to pass as this is a circuit that does not give you that chance."
Although Petrov has had an indifferent debut season, there may now be an opportunity to continue alongside Robert Kubica next year in light of such a fine performance.
Whether it was enough to save him remains to be seen, although he has admitted he is optimistic of staying on.
"Soon we will know what we are going to do," said Petrov.
"We have been going forwards, forwards, forwards, everything going in the right way. We have done a good job."
Credit: PlanetF1.com (http://www.planetf1.com)
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