Vitaly Petrov, the Russian former driver who was a steward at the Portuguese Grand Prix, has stepped down after his father, Alexandr, was shot dead at his home in Vyborg, 80 miles north-west of St Petersburg. He will be replaced by Bruno Correia, the Formula E safety car driver. The FIA stated Petrov had stepped down from his position after “a personal bereavement” and Russian media is reporting the incident as an assassination. The full statement from the FIA read: “The FIA confirms that, due to a personal bereavement, the Driver Steward for the 2020 FIA Formula 1 Portuguese Grand Prix, Vitaly Petrov, will not continue with his duties for the remainder of the weekend. The thoughts of the FIA are with Vitaly and his family at this time.”. Petrov raced in F1 between 2010 and 2012 for Renault, Lotus and Caterham.

Follow MotorMouth on social media:

• 
• 
• 
•