Nov.18 (GMM) Vitaly Petrov's manager is confident the Russian will be able to sign a new contract for the 2011 season within weeks.

Amid the 26-year-old's mixed rookie season, Renault has openly mused the possibility of a change of teammate for the highly rated Robert Kubica for next year.

But the well-financed Petrov had a more solid finish to the recently-concluded 2010 campaign, and reports suggested the Kremlin might add to his coffers now that Russia is embarking on a F1 circuit project.

"Since (Russian president) Vladimir Putin became a formula one fan, Petrov has even more support in his pocket," Nick Heidfeld, a potential suitor for the second Renault cockpit, told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

Petrov's manager Oksana Kosachenko on Thursday acknowledged the likelihood of a new deal.

"I am still working in this direction, but so far nothing definite can be said," she told the Moscow published Sovetsky Sport newspaper.

"Most likely, we'll sign a contract in the second week of December," added Kosachenko, revealing she is aiming for a new two-year deal.

She said Petrov will not be testing Pirelli's 2011 development tyres in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday.

"Vitaly is on vacation now and he'll spend the next two to three weeks outside Russia," said Kosachenko, who said she has a backup plan to prolong Petrov's F1 career in the event he leaves Renault.

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