The father of the first Russian Formula 1 driver Vitaly Petrov, Alexander Petrov, died after an assassination attempt that took place in his cottage near Vyborg in the village of Velikoye, 47news reports. An unknown person used a firearm. The exact circumstances of the incident are being investigated.
Alexander Petrov is a well-known Vyborg businessman, municipal deputy. Alexander Petrov owned several large enterprises. In addition, he was a co-owner of Vyborg Shipyard OJSC and Vyborg Fuel Company CJSC. Petrov Sr. actively helped develop his son's motorsport career when Vitaly was on his way to Formula 1.
"Championship" expresses condolences to the family and friends of Alexander Petrov.
DoubleFart wrote: ↑3 years ago
Is Vitaly going home now, or still doing his stewards duties?
John wrote: ↑3 years ago
I would assume he's going home. Johnny Herbert is at the track, he can fill in.
Indeed he is going home.... The Formula E Safety Car driver is there and will take over Vitaly Petrov's duties.
His Father was I know very wealthy, and was also unofficially 'the Ruler of Vyborg', where he was killed. Not sure if that is a Mayor type of ruler, or an underworld sort of ruler. Apparently he was found by one of his guards, shot possibly by a sniper. A large number of forensic investigators are apparently also on their way from St. Petersburg.
.......His son Vitaly raced in Formula 1 between 2010 and 2012. He is serving as an FIA steward for the first time at this weekend’s Portuguese Grand Prix.
The FIA has confirmed Vitaly Petrov has stepped down from his duties this weekend due to “a personal bereavement”.
“The thoughts of the FIA are with Vitaly and his family at this time,” it added.
“Bruno Correia, Safety Car Driver in the FIA Formula E Championship and FIA WTCR will take over the position.”
Condolences to Vitaly. Losing one's Father is bad enough.... in such circumstances it would be awful.
* I started life with nothing, and still have most of it left
“Good drivers have dead flies on the side windows!” (Walter Röhrl)
* I married Miss Right. Just didn't know her first name was Always
That is just awful, poor Vitaly. As was said, losing a parent is always hard but that has to be horrific from him and the rest of his family. So sudden and violent, just terrible news.
RT (Russia Today) is also reporting that he "has reportedly been murdered by a sniper."
To quote:
"The elder Petrov was shot dead near his cottage outside Vyborg, a historic city some 130km northwest of St. Petersburg and close to the border with Finland, on Saturday, local media reported, citing police sources. A guard allegedly found Petrov lying on the ground and called an ambulance, but the businessman succumbed to his injuries on the spot."
It strongly smells of a contract killing as a result of illegal business dealings.
Also to quote:
"Petrov had been regarded as Vyborg’s most prominent businessman. He reportedly had a stake in almost all of the city's major industries and owned some local shipbuilding and fuel companies. He was also a member of the local council."
"Journalists from the area have repeatedly insinuated that there were links between Petrov and the shadowy criminal underworld, even dubbing him “the master of Vyborg,” but some of those stories led to public retractions when challenged. The murder reignited claims of Petrov’s involvement in mafia circles in the 1990s. "