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Summer break will help Renault - Petrov

Vitaly Petrov: "Definitely we will do a big step forward in Belgium" © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• Vitaly Petrov

• Teams:
• Renault

Vitaly Petrov believes the summer break will help Renault get back on track after both cars failed to finish in the points for the first time this year at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Petrov and Renault had a strong start to the season with a podium in Australia, but the Russian has taken just one point from the last four grands prix. The team recently delayed its development programme to upgrade its wind tunnel and is hoping to bring significant upgrades to the car for the final eight races of the season.

Petrov is confident his car will be more competitive when he returns to the cockpit at the Belgian Grand Prix after the four-week summer break.

"We have a break now which gives us time to reflect and really home in on what needs to be improved," he told the Renault website. "Often when you have back-to-back races, there's not sufficient time to take a step back at what's taken place. Now, with the August break, we have that opportunity."

All the F1 teams observe a two-week factory shutdown in August, but Petrov believes Renault will have enough time to make a significant improvement ahead of the next race at Spa Francorchamps.

"They [the team] know already what to do, we just need some time to build our parts as quick as possible," he said. "Definitely we will do a big step forward in Belgium and we try to come back to the front of the field."

Petrov revealed that he will return to Russia for his four week break to spend time with friends and family.

"Well, I'll take some time out in Russia, a bit of jetskiing, and really relax with friends and family," he added. "Then I'll come back and be fully ready for Spa."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.