Alonso in contention for Renault seat

So far this season current drivers Jenson Button and Jarno Trulli have been evenly matched, although Button has scored all of the team's points. The Englishman's contract with the team runs out at the end of the year, but Faure says that no decision will be made on the 2003 line-up until August.

"We have been very happy with what our drivers have done and I must say especially Jenson," he said. "He had a bad year last year, a difficult year, but this year he has been consistent all around the races and he has been really very good.

"We knew Jarno was very quick and he confirmed that, but it is really too early to discuss the drivers of next year now. We still have two or three months to look at the races and think about it.

"I don't think [Alonso] is going to stay a test driver for eternity. I am not sure he would be happy. We haven't decided yet our team of drivers for next year and obviously Fernando is a part of the equation."