Vitaly Petrov re-signs for Lotus Renault for 2 years, perhaps with dollar signs in their eyes

Driver Vitaly Petrov re-signed with Lotus-Renault to a 2-year deal, the team announced this week.

Petrov's been criticized for erratic driving and for being "too green". Petrov made numerous errors during 2010, including a few embarrassing crashes. But the Russian comes with big Russian dollars that perhaps sweetened the pot.

In a team press release, chairman Gerard Lopez indicated Petrov's influence in Russia: "[T]hanks to Vitaly and the team, Russia is opening up to Formula 1. Over the past few months, we’ve established close links with this country and with some of its strongest companies. We’re looking forward to building on this special relationship and turning it into a very successful adventure over the next two seasons.”

Petrov was linked with bringing money to the team when he was signed, a connection he denied throughout the season.

Petrov's seat appeared not secure until this week. In a recent interview with itv-f1.com, Lopez said he wanted serious committment from Petrov. It sounds like Petrov would spend his time away from the track partying or going back to native Russia.

(Petrov's issues seem to mirror the 1993 season when Michael Andretti would fly home to the U.S. on the off-weeks instead of focusing on testing the car. These factors were blamed for his early departure even though Andretti picked up momentum late in the season.)

Often, experienced teammate Robert Kubica trumped Vitaly on the track. Kubica often started up to ten places ahead of Petrov, and actually would finish the race, throughout the 2010 season. Kubica scored 136 points last year. Petrov had a measly 27.

Kubica is already firmly signed to Lotus-Renault for 2011.

Petrov shined in the GP2 Series, a "minor league" for F1 racing, in 2009. But the GP2 Series champion that year Nico Hulkenberg was dumped by Williams at the end of this season after his results lagged behind similarly experienced Rubens Barrichello.

In the months leading up to the announcement, Lotus-Renault conducted young driver tests. One of those drivers was Jerome D'Ambrosio, who signed with the Virgin F1 team days before the Petrov announcement.

Lopez told itv-f1 at the time the team believes Petrov has the speed, but not the committment. It may be that the team had a sit-down to get Petrov's head squared away recently. Or it might be the Russian money, a cynic could say.

The Lotus-Renault team lost major sponsor ING Direct last year. It also lost star Fernando Alonso to Ferrari. Renault ran largely sponsorless in 2010.

The team is yet to announce any headlining sponsor for next year.

Petrov's signing fills all of the driving spots at all major teams on the Formula One grid. The remaining spots are with HRT and Lotus Racing (not connected to Lotus-Renault). Neither team scored any points in 2010.