VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues.
There are more and more fans of motorsport in Russia and Vitaly Petrov's name is known to more and more fans of this sport. Vitaly has signed a two-year contract with the team and will stay with the team for another two years. It goes without saying that he will need support, above all financial support. We gathered today to discuss these very issues. Ms Kosachenko will say a few words, to start with, on how this work is structured, and what should be done to ensure that the contract Vitaly signed stays “afloat” or operational, enabling the driver to compete. Please, go ahead.
Oksana Kosachenko: Thank you very much, Mr Putin. Happy New Year to you! Wishing you luck, health and just as much energy. And many thanks for your help. Vitaly Petrov has indeed extended his contract with the team. The team is now called the Lotus Renault Grand Prix. We expect that this year we will not only get financial support, like last year. We had a contract with the Russian Technologies State Corporation, which contributed its Lada brand. We also expect Russian technological developments will find a place for themselves in Formula 1. Work to this end is ongoing, and we have discussed this issue with Sergei Chemezov. Therefore, we are turning to you, Mr Mikhelson and Mr Chemezov, for help so that we can realise this goal. The two-year contract enables Vitaly to achieve better results in his sport. We understand the goal that faces him, especially since this past year the team has invested heavily in development – a new car has been developed. We're aiming for the top this year. It might not end up being Vitaly, but the team is set on fighting for victory.
Vladimir Putin: Mr Chemezov, please go ahead.
Sergei Chemezov: Mr Putin, as everyone is aware, the Russian Technologies corporation is a shareholder in Russia’s largest automotive manufacturers – AvtoVAZ and KAMAZ. Last year, as Oksana said, we were one of Vitaly Petrov’s sponsors. I hope that this will continue this year, but perhaps jointly with Sibur. Especially since we recently signed an agreement between Sibur, Pirelli and Russian Technologies to create a large tyre-production holding company. The corporation is also involved in organising the upcoming Formula 1 race in Sochi. So, of course, for us it is interesting, all the more so since Formula 1 is a high-tech sport, and it is of interest to the Russian Technologies both in terms of project implementation and for advertising the products we make.
Vladimir Putin: Please, Mr Mikhelson (addressing Novatek Board Chairman and CEO Leonid Mikhelson).Leonid Mikhelson: We have partnered with Russian Technologies on tyres, as Mr Chemezov said. Since they helped Vitaly, may the new partnership not be limited to tyres, let it also be about supporting Vitaly. We anticipate that next season will be a good one for him and we will be sponsors he can rely on.
Vladimir Putin: Vitaly, what are your plans?
Vitaly Petrov: I will try to fulfil my potential, and I will struggle for victory with the F1 leaders as well as with the Ferrari and McLaren teams. Tests will begin in February and we'll see how well the team prepared our cars.
Vladimir Putin: We wish you success. Happy New Year!
Vitaly Petrov: Thank you. Happy New Year to you too, and I would like to thank you for all that you do for me and for Russian motorsport in general. There has been a great deal of progress here recently. A lot of young people have been getting involved in it. Thank you very much!
Vladimir Putin: And the Russian automotive industry is recovering rapidly, showing a good pace last year. I hope it will retain its momentum this year. And just now our race drivers are competing in the Paris-Dakar Rally. Let us also wish them success.
