FIA

Petrov steps down as FIA steward after shooting death of his father

Ian Parkes Saturday 24 October 2020 21:31

Petrov steps down as FIA steward after shooting death of his father

Vitaly Petrov has been forced to step down as a steward for this weekend's Portuguese Grand Prix following the death of his father.

Reports from Russia, via the respected RIA network, claim Alexander Petrov, who served as deputy leader of Vyborg City Council and was a renowned businessman, was shot at his home in the Leningrad region.

Former F1 driver Vitaly was for the first time this week serving as part of the four-man panel overseeing the Portuguese GP on its maiden visit to the Algarve International Circuit at Portimão.

Petrov's appointment had caused controversy due to previously contentious remarks he had made towards Lewis Hamilton and his support of the 'Black Lives Matter' campaign.

The 36-year-old had also queried the FIA's pre-race anti-racism protest, and whether it would do likewise in support of the gay movement should a driver opt to support it.

The FIA, however, declared its full support of Petrov in serving as a steward, with his position for the race now taken up by Formula E safety car driver Bruno Correia.

Via a statement, the FIA said: “The thoughts of the FIA are with Vitaly and his family at this time."

Latest News

GPFans Recap

Ricciardo tipped for NEW F1 role as star makes COMEBACK at Las Vegas Grand Prix - GPFans Recap

43 minutes ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix: The music artists set to star at STUNNING event

1 hour ago

Latest F1 News

Mercedes star SHOCKED by FIA reaction after damning drivers' statement

3 hours ago

Latest F1 News

Verstappen reveals F1 RETIREMENT clue ahead of Las Vegas GP

3 hours ago

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton drops Mercedes BOMBSHELL ahead of Las Vegas GP

Yesterday 20:02

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 star reveals DEPORTATION threat at Las Vegas Grand Prix

Yesterday 19:18

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

Petrov steps down as FIA steward after shooting death of his father

Petrov steps down as FIA steward after shooting death of his father