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Petrov given deadline over future

ESPNF1 Staff
November 29, 2011 « Europe 'finished' for F1 - Ecclestone | Raikkonen will need time - Vettel »
Vitaly Petrov's seat appears to be under threat from both Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean © Sutton Images
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Vitaly Petrov will find out if he is staying with Lotus Renault next season on December 10, according to his manager.

After Kimi Raikkonen was confirmed as one of the 2012 drivers on a two-year contract, Oksana Kosachenko went to the team's headquarters to speak about Petrov's future. Petrov has a deal for next season but after criticising the team following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he admitted that if it wanted to get rid of him the team could, and Kosachenko confirmed that his seat was not guaranteed.

"After today's decision was announced, I was given a very short amount of time, literally ten days," Kosachenko told Ria Novosti. "We have until December 10 to decide if Vitaly stays or leaves."

Kosachenko was asked if Petrov could learn from 2007 world champion Raikkonen assuming he remains with the team.

"You ask the question in the right way: if Vitaly stays in the team. It's better to put it this way: will the management come to an agreement with the owners? If we do, then Vitaly should take it as a given [that he stays next year]."

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