Petrov doubts?

Vitaly Petrov was confirmed as Renault’s second driver recently and last week conducted is first tests with the team at Jerez. However doubts remain over his seat with the Anglo-French team as it has emerged that he and his management are having trouble securing the €15m in sponsorship required.

According to sovsport.ru, Petrov has now agreed to pay half of the funds to Renault in March followed by a second instalment in July. Vitaly’s father Alexander has reportedly sought a loan to cover the March payment but admits that he has yet to see the funds.

“The first seven and a half million, we still have not received,” said Petrov Snr. “The bank extended the consideration of an application for a loan – the money is huge. If, before the first of March we do not make the first payment, Vitaly can be changed to another pilot.”

He also confirmed that rumours that his son would enjoy sponsorship from Gazprom were incorrect and that he and manager Oksana Kosachenko are now working flat out to find sponsors.