Petrov selected to drive Renault first

The Lotus Renault GP team has told GPUpdate.net that Vitaly Petrov is most likely the driver to debut their new car, the R31, in next month's first test session of the year in Valencia. However, it is team-mate Robert Kubica who will be enjoying two full days in the black and gold cockpit.

Although plans remain provisional, Russian Petrov is currently in-line to drive on Tuesday 1 February – a day after the newly-branded squad's launch at the same venue – before handing over to his Polish team-mate. Incidentally, both men are contracted to the team until the end of 2012.

Renault's (provisional) Valencia test line-up is as follows:

Tuesday 1 February Vitaly Petrov
Wednesday 2 February Robert Kubica
Thursday 3 February Robert Kubica