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Suzuka, Japan - Renault raised a toast to a new sponsor on Thursday - a Russian vodka company - in a four-race deal.
Which just shows drink can help you drive while paying for Russian rookie Vitaly Petrov to stay with the Formula 1 team.
The Flagman vodka brand became the team's third Russian backer after Lada cars and Vyborg Shipyard and is a further sign of their driver's pulling power.
Team chairman Gerard Lopez said ahead of the 2010 Japanese GP: "We have worked hard this year to develop new relationships in Russia - we're pleased to see this effort bearing fruit. However the cornerstone of any successful commercial strategy is a successful driver.
"The potential Vitaly has shown during his rookie season has done much of the talking for us"
Petrov, the first F1 driver to come out of Russia, has scored 19 points from his 15 races. Polish team mate Robert Kubica is on 114.
The team has said Petrov must show he can score consistently before it commits to keeping him on for the 2011 season.
Which just shows drink can help you drive while paying for Russian rookie Vitaly Petrov to stay with the Formula 1 team.
The Flagman vodka brand became the team's third Russian backer after Lada cars and Vyborg Shipyard and is a further sign of their driver's pulling power.
Team chairman Gerard Lopez said ahead of the 2010 Japanese GP: "We have worked hard this year to develop new relationships in Russia - we're pleased to see this effort bearing fruit. However the cornerstone of any successful commercial strategy is a successful driver.
"The potential Vitaly has shown during his rookie season has done much of the talking for us"
Petrov, the first F1 driver to come out of Russia, has scored 19 points from his 15 races. Polish team mate Robert Kubica is on 114.
The team has said Petrov must show he can score consistently before it commits to keeping him on for the 2011 season.