Alonso, Trulli to Drive for Renault in 2003

Renault announced at a news conference on Saturday that Spaniard Fernando Alonso will drive for the team in 2003 in place of Briton Jenson Button.

Alonso, 20, the team's test driver, will be promoted to the race team to partner Italian Jarno Trulli next season with 22-year-old Button making way.

Team president Patrick Faure said: "We have decided to choose Fernando Alonso to drive alongside Jarno Trulli next year. We feel Fernando has all the right qualities in terms of speed and concentration.

"It is important to have him racing in 2003 to get experience before a serious attack on the Championship in 2004. On top of that Fernando is a Renault driver, he has a long-term contract so that fits into a long-term plan.

"Having said that, we must thank Jenson Button. He has had a great season and I'm sure he will continue that for the rest of the year. It is always difficult and unfortunately we had three drivers for two places.

"I'm sure Jenson will find a seat worthy of his talents and who can say whether our paths might cross in the future."

Alonso, who is managed by Renault team boss Flavio Briatore, competed in Formula One with Minardi in 2001 before switching to become test driver at Enstone-based Renault this season.

Button's two-year loan deal from Williams-BMW expires at the end of the season and he is now expected to announce his future next week.

Faure also revealed that the team have renewed their sponsorship deal with Mild Seven for next season. He added that contract discussions are to be held with Briatore over an extension to his deal, which expires at the end of 2003.

Faure said: "We are now in the process of putting together a contract to keep him until 2005."