Alonso takes Button's Renault seat

The move, which has been the worst kept secret in Formula 1 this season, leaves Button without a confirmed drive for 2003. He has been linked with a number of teams, including British American Racing, Jaguar, Sauber and Toyota.

Alonso has signed a two-year contract to race for Renault. He will be teamed with current driver Jarno Trulli, whose deal with the Anglo-French outfit runs to the end of next season.

Renault Sport president Patrick Faure thanked Button for his efforts, but said: "Unfortunately we had three good drivers on the books and it is important for us that Fernando races next year and learns, prior to a full championship onslaught in 2004."

Faure added: "Money and management is also crucial, of course, and we have extended our association with Mild Seven. Flavio Briatore, who had a contract with the team to run the Enstone facility in England until the end of 2003, now has an entended agreement until 2005. Jean-Jacques His will continue in charge of the French facility at Viry Chatillon."

Alonso elected not to race in F1 this year to take on the role as Renault test driver. It was always understood he was being groomed by Briatore to step up to the race team. Briatore has a management stake in both Alonso and Trulli.

Button's options could be wide-ranging. With Eddie Irvine placing the revised Jaguar R3 in the top 10 on the Magny-Cours grid, Jaguar now looks like a more enticing prospect. And BAR is another firm option, with Olivier Panis's name being increasingly mentioned in the same sentence as Toyota.

Sauber entered the frame earlier this week when it emerged than Button had paid a visit to the team's base in Switzerland.