Kovalainen ready to replace Alonso

By Renault F1
October 9 2006

09 October 2006. Although the 2006 Formula One championship is not even finished yet Alonso's replacement at Renault for next season, Heikki Kovalainen, said he can't wait to start racing for the team. Alonso will move to McLaren next season.

Kovalainen will become Fisichella's teammate in 2007. New test drivers Ricardo Zonta and Nelson Piquet junior will join them. Kovalainen is confident he can show a strong performance in 2007. He told Setanta Sports: "We turn a new page and I feel confident of my own ability. I'm confident of my team. I think we can achieve great things together if we just keep working, I think in the end we will have some good results."

"All the seasons have been tough, but maybe next year is even tougher, but I'm ready for the challenge. I'm really looking forward to racing for the Renault Formula One team and I'm quite confident that together we can repeat the success that we have had before."

"The reason for me to do a year in testing was to become a race driver in a top team for 2007 and everything has gone exactly to plan. I think I've shown enough speed and consistency in testing and for me it's a great opportunity and I think also for the team, looking to the long-term future, it's a good choice."

"For me, it's like another family and I hope I can stay until the end of my career with the Renault team."