Renault thankful to Fisichella, Kovalainen
Renault's managing director Flavio Briatore has paid tribute to Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen, after confirming they will not continue with the team in 2008

Renault announced on Monday that Fernando Alonso and Nelsinho Piquet will race for the French squad in 2008, replacing Italian Fisichella and Finn Kovalainen.
Kovalainen has been linked with a move to Toyota or McLaren, while Fisichella tested for Force India as he aims to secure a drive for next year.
Briatore wished both drivers the best for the future following their exit from Renault, and praised them for their efforts during the troubled 2007 season.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Giancarlo and Heikki for their hard work throughout a long and difficult year," said Briatore.
"We expected to have a car capable of winning races, but that didn't prove the case. Rather than let their heads drop, both drivers worked even harder to turn the situation around.
"Giancarlo's experience was a crucial factor in helping us improve our performance, and he leaves the team after making a vital contribution to our two championship years in 2005 and 2006. We thank him for making these special moments possible for the team, and wish him well for the future.
"Heikki's rookie season included some challenges, but he coped with all of them and came out a better and stronger driver. He has shown everybody in F1 that he is a fast, intelligent and engaging driver, who is definitely capable of winning races in the future.
"We are proud to have given him his start in Formula One, and wish him the very best for what is sure to be an outstanding career."

Previous article
Analysis: Alonso goes back to the future
Next article
Hamilton says McLaren won't be distracted

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Giancarlo Fisichella |
Teams | Renault F1 Team |
Author | Pablo Elizalde |
Renault thankful to Fisichella, Kovalainen
Trending
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
How “overwhelming” McLaren move has given Ricciardo a new verve
Daniel Ricciardo has found a new lease of life at McLaren – a move that’s been years in the making, as he explains to STUART CODLING…
The German legend who raced and beat Nuvolari
Ninety years ago, Rudolf Caracciola became the first non-Italian to win the epic Mille Miglia. We look at how he stacks up to the most famous pre-war ace Tazio Nuvolari, one of the drivers he beat on that day in 1931
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
The clues Hamilton’s F1 contract afterthought gives to his future
The Formula 1 world reacted with surprise when it learned Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited new Mercedes deal guarantees his presence on the grid only until the end of 2021. Both parties claimed publicly they were happy with the arrangement but, asks MARK GALLAGHER, is there more to it than that?
How a harshly ejected Red Bull star has been hooked by racing again
Driver-turned-DJ Jaime Alguersuari lost his love for motorsport when he was booted out of Formula 1 just as he was starting to polish his rough edges. Having drifted from category to category then turned his back on racing altogether in 2015, he’s come full circle and is planning a return in karts for fun