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Petrov inching closer to 2011 deal - Renault

ESPNF1 Staff
August 3, 2010 « Hamilton feels title chances starting to slip | »
Vitaly Petrov is hoping to hold onto his seat in 2011 © Getty Images
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If Vitaly Petrov can repeat his Hungarian Grand Prix performance at the coming races he will secure his place at Renault, according to team boss Eric Boullier.

Petrov's position has been a source of constant speculation recently, as Boullier has refused to confirm if he will hold onto the Russian next year. It has been rumoured that Renault is looking to secure another top-line driver alongside Robert Kubica, but after Petrov outqualified his highly-rated team-mate in Hungary and finished the race fifth, Boullier insisted he was on the right track to keep his drive.

"You don't take a decision on one race result, but if he starts to shine like this and scores more precious points, definitely he will seal his future with us soon," he said. "I think he is getting closer and faster and starting to gain confidence; he knows he can get into Q3 and can race, and he is learning when to push, for example, when we have to overtake somebody at the pitstops. He is getting there, clearly."

Petrov is now 12th in the drivers' championship - the highest placed rookie - but still 72 points off Kubica.

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