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Petrov hopes to remain at Renault

Vitaly Petrov wants to retain his seat with Renault having been with the team for two seasons © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• Vitaly Petrov
• |
• Kimi Räikkönen

• Teams:
• Renault

Vitaly Petrov says that he wants to remain at Renault and partner Kimi Raikkonen next season, despite doubts over his future.

When the FIA entry list was published last week, only Raikkonen's name was submitted for Renault despite Petrov having a contract for 2012. When asked during an interview at the Race of Champions about the situation for next season, Petrov said that the team was assessing whether he was the best fit as it makes a number of changes.

"I think the team has done a big construction, like change a lot of stuff in the team and drivers, and they want to be just sure we can do it together," Petrov said. "I know this year was not a good example from my side, sorry, but I am still a rookie. I did just two years in Formula One, but now I learn a lot so I can do the third season much, much better.

"In 2010 I did mistakes that I didn't do in 2011, so I have a big step improvement. In 2010 you could see how difficult for me it was to fight with Robert Kubica and to be a top guy, but in 2011 I improved quite a lot. I can do it. Yeah I was still doing some mistakes, Formula One is not the easiest of sports, but can you imagine what I can do in 2012?"

Petrov also said that he would improve even further next season, and that driving with Raikkonen would help him develop.

"So I will again have one more step and, together with Kimi Raikkonen in one team it will be really good fun, he is experienced and I want very much to be part of this team. I hope just that the team will take the right decision and we wait a few days more. I hope to stay with the same team because I love very much this team.

"I like the people, I like working with my mechanics and my engineers, so it feels like a family. They gave me the opportunity to drive. I don't want to change to another team, so I cross my fingers and wait for the answer."

Having previously been confident he would drive because he has a contract for 2012, Petrov did admit that there were clauses that would allow the team to terminate early if it wished.

"Everything is difficult in Formula One. You have a contract but every contract can have a part where you can finish the relationship so I hope I stay in, I hope that they will not change their minds and I hope together we can show some really good result next year."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.