Briatore drops Alonso hint

The Spaniard raced for Minardi this year in what was his rookie season in F1. But with a long-term contract tying him to Renault, it was no surprise when he was announced as the French manufacturer's test driver for next year.

Renault has never confirmed that Alonso will graduate to the race team for 2003, despite strong speculation that he will. But Briatore told French sports newspaper L'Equipe: "It is an investment for us and him. It is important to save him, to allow him time to prepare for 2003 in the right conditions."

If Alonso does race for Renault in 2003, he is likely to replace Briton Jenson Button, who is going into his second season of a two-year contract with the team. Briatore admitted that he would have dropped Button for next year if he could have done and would have preferred to hang on to Giancarlo Fisichella rather than lose him to Jordan.

"Personally, I would have liked to keep Fisichella, but we have to honour our contract with Button to the end," Briatore said. "He has acquired experience, he should blossom next year."