Finn handed Renault chance
Heikki Kovalainen will race for Renault next season under the guidance of Flavio Briatore, who has extended his deal to run the team.
The 24-year-old Finn has been a Renault tester this season but will step up to the race team to partner Giancarlo Fisichella. Nelson Piquet Jr and Ricardo Zonta will take on testing duties.
Renault also confirmed Italian team boss Briatore will stay on until 2008 at least after signing a two-year contract extension.
Briatore's future had been a matter for debate, with some suggesting he would quit Formula One if he guided Alonso to back-to-back titles.
But he is keen to take up the challenge of maintaining Renault’s championship-challenging form even after Alonso heads to McLaren for next season.
He said: “I am delighted to continue to lead Renault’s Formula One challenge.
“It is now important for the Renault team to begin a fresh cycle of development from 2007, with a reinvigorated driver line-up and several major new commercial partners.
“This is the key to performing at the top level in the medium and long term.”
Briatore has dovetailed his Renault duties with his role as a driver manager and his latest protege is among the driver line-up for 2007.
Kovalainen, 24, was second in the 2005 GP2 series before concentrating on testing this year, a move he believes has left him ready to fill Alonso’s shows.
He said: “My two seasons testing for the team, as well as my time in GP2, have allowed me to build my technical knowledge and to understand what it takes to win in Formula One.
“I think next year is a new start for me. There will be high expectations straight away, but I will not look at it as extra pressure.
“I will be aiming to tick off my goals one by one – to finish my first race, hopefully to do it in the points and to improve all year.
“We should have a car capable of bringing good results, and I need to deliver them. But I will be starting the job in a calm, easy frame of mind.”
Despite Kovalainen’s lack of experience at the top level, Briatore is convinced he has a line-up capable of firing Renault into a new era of success.
He said: “Everybody at Renault is very optimistic about our driver line-up for 2007 and beyond.
“We have taken the conscious decision to build for the future, without compromising the stability of the team in the short term.
“Giancarlo is a proven force in Formula One and Heikki is already fully integrated into the team. After seeing performances in testing this season, we have very high hopes for him.
“2007 is the start of something new for Renault, and we believe it will be an exciting season.”
Briatore also unveiled two new test drivers, with GP2 title challenger Piquet, son of the three-time world champion, joining fellow Brazilian Zonta, who joins from Toyota.
