Petrov signs contract extension through 2012

[MontegoblueE92]

Anybody else think they should've signed somebody a little more deserving of the seat? I think Petrov would be more suited for a backmarker or at most a lower midfield car for a few seasons. Kubica was often dicing it up with the front runners while Petrov was barely scoring points, if he could keep from crashing

Renault have confirmed Russian Vitaly Petrov as their second driver for the next two seasons.

Petrov had a frustrating debut season in Formula One, finishing more than 100 points behind team-mate Robert Kubica in the Drivers' Championship.

Although his bosses insisted throughout the season that Petrov was their "preferred choice" to partner Kubica next year, they admitted they were disappointed with his inability to show consistency.

However, he has clearly done enough to impress the powers that be and has signed a contract extension that ties him down to the team until 2012.

"I am very happy to continue with the team and proud to be representing Lotus Renault GP for the 2011 and 2012 seasons," Petrov said.

"I learned a lot about the sport, the circuits and the car this year. That will help me improve even more in the future. I am very excited about working with this great team once more, and I'm confident that I will deliver.

"In many ways, 2010 was about learning. 2011 will be about performing. Today, I feel I am ready to rise to this challenge."

Team boss Eric Boullier is confident the 26-year-old can build on a "promising 2010 campaign".

"We are very pleased to confirm that Vitaly will be staying with us for 2011 and 2012, in order that both he and the team can build on a promising 2010 campaign," Boullier said.

"The entire team has been working flat-out over the past months to improve our competitiveness, and a stable driver line-up is essential to achieving our targets.

"Robert Kubica provides a remarkable benchmark for both speed and consistency, and we are certain that Vitaly will move closer to this level of performance next year."

Renault F1 owner Gerard Lopez is delighted that the team now have a foothold in Russia.

"Thanks to Vitaly and the team, Russia is opening up to Formula 1," said Lopez. "Over the past few months, we've established close links with this country and with some of its strongest companies.

"We're looking forward to building on this special relationship and turning it into a very successful adventure over the next two seasons."

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[Chenry135]

He did crash a lot, but it was just his first year. He showed a lot of promise in a lot of races. I think they should have given him at least one more year to try to figure it out. If only Williams did the same with Hulkenburg....

[escobar929]

kiinda hard to believe cause it wasnt looking good for him towards the end of the season but I guess not letting Alonso get pass, was enough for the team to start believing in him again

[pixelblue]

I thought Renault was pulling out of manufacturers team. Guess not. Didn't lotus contract their engines for next year to Renault?

[josephr25]

He had a good race in Abu Dhabi; it probably gave a good lasting impression.

[GuyOh]

Renault fail

[PETER.PHIL]

I'm not especially happy about it either but in the middle of the Mitchell Investigation and all that surrounds it, the owners probably haven't had a chance to really research for a new one.

[MontegoblueE92]

Originally Posted by PETER.PHIL

I'm not especially happy about it either but in the middle of the Mitchell Investigation and all that surrounds it, the owners probably haven't had a chance to really research for a new one.

Highly unlikely TBH. Why sign a guy for two years then? If it was a last minute thing because they hadn't looked at other candidates wouldn't it make more sense to keep him on for a year and just offer him an extension if he exceeds expectations?

[Bartman619]

I think Petrov brings big Rubles to the table..could be why they resigned him too.

[SloPoke]

I think he has raw talent and pretty "large attachments" as Varsha would say. With this being his first season, I think he will do pretty well in the future if he can work on his mental lapses.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by Bartman619

I think Petrov brings big Rubles to the table..could be why they resigned him too.

I'm shocked it took this long for someone to mention that. They're introducing a Russian GP in the very near future and want to keep Russian interest high (although interest is very high throughout most of Europe). I believe it's purely financial.