Jun.8 (GMM) Heikki Kovalainen says he is not guaranteed Fernando Alonso's vacated Renault race seat for 2007.
The highly rated Finn, who - like Spaniard Alonso in 2002 - is filling the Enstone-based team's full time test and reserve role, admits that he is a leading contender for the title-winning berth.
But, perhaps giving credence to reports linking countryman Kimi Raikkonen with the job, he told PA Sport: ''Just because (of the test role it) does not mean I will be automatically there.
''They need a good driver to replace a world champion.''
24-year-old Kovalainen, though, seems unperturbed at the prospect of filling similarly-aged Alonso's boots, even if he admitted that he is 'still closing' a lap-time gap to the champion.
But Heikki added: ''He is quicker at the moment but the gap is not big, my pace is good.''
Another rookie likely to join motor racing's highest echelon next year is GP2 racer Lewis Hamilton, but Jenson Button advised his countryman to ease off the throttle in terms of his own confidence about matching Alonso, his possible McLaren teammate.
The Honda driver told Autosport: ''I think Lewis might find it a bit harder than he thinks.
Post je objavljen 08.06.2006. u 17:00 sati.