Renault gives Petrov 'stay or go' deadline

Petrov on the hot seat

(GMM) Vitaly Petrov's manager on Tuesday confirmed speculation that the 27-year-old's place at Lotus Renault GP might not be secure for 2012.

Russian Petrov has a contract for next season, but manager Oksana Kosachenko was reported to be heading to the team's Enstone headquarters this week for urgent talks.

Her trip coincides with the announcement of Kimi Raikkonen's return to F1 next year with the team.

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

Assuming he stays, Kosachenko was asked if Petrov could learn from 2007 world champion Raikkonen, a former race winner for McLaren and Ferrari.

"You ask the question in the right way: if Vitaly stays in the team," she answered, amid speculation Romain Grosjean and Bruno Senna are also in the running.

Interestingly, the Raikkonen signing and the new uncertainty about Petrov's future comes amid speculation team boss Eric Boullier might be ousted as the team becomes Lotus for 2012.

"It's better to put it this way," said Kosachenko, referring to Petrov's future. "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, she said.