VALENCIA, Spain — Formula One has its first Russian driver with Renault's announcement that Vitaly Petrov will partner with Robert Kubica.

The announcement came Sunday at Valencia's Cheste Circuit where the French team was unveiling its 2010 car.

Petrov replaces French driver Romain Grosjean to drive alongside Polish teammate Kubica, who joined from BMW Sauber in place of Fernando Alonso, who left for Ferrari.

The 25-year-old Petrov has been driving in GP2 since 2006 and finished second to Williams driver Nico Hulkenberg in last season's standings of the F1 feeder series.

Petrov began his racing career in 2003 in Formula Renault.