JULY 25, 2006

Direxiv fall-out begins

The failure of the Japanese firm Direxiv to meet its commitments in GP2 has resulted in DPR having to change drivers with Russia's Vitaly Petrov coming in to replace Olivier Pla. Petrov has money but has also proved in recent weeks that he is also a man to be watched. He has been racing this year for Vincenzo Sospiri's Euronova Racing in the Euro 3000 series and recently won his first race in the category, becoming the first Russian driver to win a F3000 race.

DPR will keep Clivio Piccione, the wealthy Monaco driver having found an alternative source of income for the rest of the season.