“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,” said team principal Eric Boullier in the statement.
“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,” he added.
Needless to say, Petrov also expressed his enthusiasm over getting to secure his place in F1 until the end of the 2012 season, adding that he has a better understanding of the sport after one year of learning within the Enstone squad.
“I am very happy to continue with the team and proud to be representing Lotus Renault GP for the 2011 and 2012 seasons,” he 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 co-owner Gerard Lopez also stressed the commercial aspects of the deal, admitting that the partnership signed with Petrov will further help Renault and Lotus establish string links within the Russian market.
“Also, thanks to Vitaly and the team, Russia is opening up to Formula 1. 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,” said Lopez.
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