Formula One's 2012 World Championship kicked off on 18th March of 2012. The first F-1 champion was an Italian, the first marker
of the close ties that Italy has always had with the sport, be it through constructors, fans, and drivers.
Which is why it is remarkable that 2012 will be the first time no Italian driver takes part in the F-1 season (as of the beginning of the season).
This after the Caterham team (formerly Lotus Racing) replaced its Italian driver with the Russian Vitaly Petrov. Who was this driver?
[+ Show Answer]
Jarno Trulli. H/T:
This Guardian article by Richard Williams.