Kovalainen calm despite high expectations

Kovalainen, runner-up last season in the feeder GP2 series to Germany's Nico Rosberg, will replace Fernando Alonso at the Renault team next season after having spent this year as a test driver.

Kovalainen will step up as teammate to Giancarlo Fisichella in a team that won both titles last year and could win both again this season.

"Of course the expectations are going to be very high but I will take it calm and easy at the beginning," said Kovalainen at Monza, ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.

"It will be difficult, the Melbourne race for me, but I will try to finish and try to score some points and improve from there. I have all the confidence in the team and I feel this year I have done a good job, so the team knows what I can do and we can look forward to a successful year next year."

While the team's announcement came as no surprise, he still has some big shoes to fill, with Alonso having won a title and leading this year's championship.

"Some people might say that," the Finn added. "Obviously everyone has their own opinion but Fernando started when he was young and I have all the confidence in me and the team.

"They will guide me and I am confident we can have the success we had before."

Teammate Fisichella welcomed Renault's decision and the Italian is predicting a strong season in 2007.

"I am happy about Heikki," said Fisichella, sitting beside the Finn. "He is a nice guy he is a good driver and I am sure he is going to be a good strong team next year. It is going to be a tough season but I am looking forward to it and still concentrate until the end of this season."