Mat Coch writes:

With speculation over his future rampant, Vitaly Petrov has admitted that he needs to lift his game if he wishes to retain his seat for 2011. "I know I still need to improve," conceded the Russian, "but I'm doing my best to work more closely with the team and Robert to improve the car."

Petrov became the first Russian to compete in Formula One when he made his debut in Bahrain. He also holds the unenviable record of being the only driver to have been out qualified by his teammate in every race of the 2010 season to date.

It's a point not lost on the 25-year-old, who admits that his first target ahead of this weekend's German Grand Prix is to get closer to his team leader. "As always the first target is to be close to Robert's pace," he admits. "I think that qualifying is my number one priority for the weekend because we know how important it is for the outcome of the race."

In a week when the Renault team was in Moscow supporting the annual Moscow City racing event, team boss Eric Boullier admitted that discussions over the 2011 seat have already begun, with as many as seven drivers believed to be in line for the drive. "Some are fanciful, others are realistic because there are already discussions," Boullier told Auto Hebdo.

Virgin driver Timo Glock is believed to be among the drivers Renault are in discussions with, while others linked to the seat include Kamui Kobayashi, Christian Klien and the Lotus pair of Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli.

For his part Petrov is not panicking. "Next year is in hand," said the 'Vyborg Rocket' as he's known in his home land, "the talks will be held later."

Petrov's best finish to date is a seventh place in China, his only Formula One points finish.

Picture: Dean Perkins