Pirelli have dismissed reports that former Lotus Renault driver Vitaly Petrov has joined the Italian tyre supplier as official test driver.
Italian tyre company say Russian is a only guest in Abu Dhabi
Pirelli have dismissed reports that former Lotus Renault driver Vitaly Petrov has joined the Italian tyre supplier as official test driver.
The Russian has been left without a drive this season as Lotus have announced former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will partner Romain Grosjean at the team.
At the launch of Pirelli's 2012 Formula One tyres in Abu Dhabi,
Petrov's agent was reported as stating that the 27-year-old had agreed to join the tyre manufacturer.
"The cooperation between Vitaly and Pirelli will continue in March, when he will take part in a major Pirelli event in St. Petersburg," Petrov's manager said.
However Pirelli's Director of Motorsport Paul Hembery has dismissed the rumours on Twitter.
In response to a fan's question he tweeted: "Is Vitaly confirmed as a reserve driver for Pirelli until March 2012? No."
He then added: "Just to clarify Vitaly is here as a guest, we do not have a test car never mind talking test drivers. So no truth in rumours."
