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Petrov set to sign new Renault deal

Vitaly Petrov saved one of his best drives till last © Getty Images

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• Drivers:
• Vitaly Petrov

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Vitaly Petrov is set to sign a new contract with the Renault team within weeks, according to his manager.

Speculation has surrounded the security of the Russian's race seat for several months after a mixed bag of results on his rookie season. But a solid drive to sixth in the final grand prix of the season added to his attractive financial backing looks to have tipped the scales back in his favour.

"I am still working in this direction, but so far nothing definite can be said," Petrov's manager Oksana Kosachenko told the Sovetsky Sport newspaper on Thursday.

"Most likely, we'll sign a contract in the second week of December. Vitaly is on vacation now and he'll spend the next two to three weeks outside Russia."

Kosachenko is thought to be negotiating a two-year extension at Renault but added she has a backup plan to prolong Petrov's F1 career in the now unlikely event he leaves Renault.

Team boss Eric Boullier added further weight to the thought that Renault is to stick with the Russian after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"His performance in Abu Dhabi will be a positive in our consideration," Boullier told Autosport. "But we still have to sit down and I want to make sure my mind is fresh to think over the situation. There are still some frustrations but I have to consider the global package, and I have to say that Abu Dhabi was positive for him."

And Nick Heidfeld, who was thought to be in contention for the second seat alongside Robert Kubica, said Petrov even enjoyed had support in the political arena.

"Since Vladimir Putin became a Formula One fan, Petrov has even more support in his pocket," Heidfeld told Auto Motor und Sport.

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