Three The Magic Number For Vitaly

Formula 1 legend and Group Lotus ambassador Jean Alesi presented Vitaly Petrov with a very special bespoke Montegrappa pen at the Sepang circuit earlier today.

The special edition pen was a present from Group Lotus and Montegrappa – Italy’s premier pen manufacturer – given to Vitaly as a result of becoming the first ever Russian to stand on a Formula 1 podium in Melbourne two weeks ago. The gift, which was numbered Number 3 because of Vitaly’s recent 3rd position in the Australian GP, was given in timing with the 50th anniversary (April 12th) since Russian Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space in 1961.

Jean Alesi said: “As owner of Montegrappa, and to mark the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin in space, we were asked by the Kremlin to make 500 of the special edition pens. When we saw Vitaly’s excellent 3rd place finish in Melbourne, we decided we would give him the special Number 3 pen – it was ideal timing.

Vitaly Petrov said: “I want to thank Jean, Montegrappa and Group Lotus so much for giving me the very special Number 3 pen, which was a very unexpected gift. Everybody in Russia calls me the “Vyborg Rocket”, and now I have a special Number 3 rocket pen dedicated to my third place in Melbourne.”

Gino Rosato, Director of Corporate Operations-Group Lotus said: “All of us at Group Lotus are very proud of Vitaly’s result in Melbourne and we hope he continues his impressive form throughout the season.”