Petrov Brings Vodka Sponsor to Renault F1

Vitaly Petrov's chances of retaining his seat with Renualt for the 2011 season of Formula One have received a boost on Friday, when it was confirmed that another Russian sponsor will join the Enstone based team for the remainder of the ongoing campaign.

Starting from the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, leading Russian vodka brand Flagman will partner Renault F1 Team, with its logos being displayed on the 2010 challenger. This is the third important sponsor brought by Petrov to Enstone, after major backer Lada and Vyborg Shipyard. While providing the Russian company with a strong platform for building awareness of Flagman vodka outside Russia, this deal will also increase Petrov's chances of retaining his drive through 2011.

“We are delighted to welcome Flagman vodka to the Renault F1 Team for the remaining races of the 2010 season. We have worked hard this year to develop new relationships in Russia, and we are pleased to see this effort bearing fruit,” said Renault F1 Team Chairman Gerard Lopez.

“For 2010, Flagman was rebranded as ‘The New Leader of the New Russia’, with the dynamic brand motto ‘You can!’, which expresses the Russian people’s faith in their own abilities, even to become a Formula 1 driver,” added Svetlana Savchenko, CEO of Interrepublic Winery Trading House Ltd, the parent company of Flagman vodka.

“This new image, and our new partnership with the Renault F1 Team, will ensure a growth in status for quality Russian vodka around the world,” concluded the Russian representative.

Branding from Flagman Vodka will appear on the nose tip and pod-vanes of the Renault F1 Team R30 from this weekend in Suzuka. The Flagman logo will also feature on Vitaly Petrov’s driver overalls, as confirmed by a press release from Renault F1.