Alonso Likely To Be Replaced By A Youngster For '07

[cristiano84 0]

"We will have a good team in 2007 also," team president Patrick Faure told reporters at the launch of the Formula One champion manufacturer's new car in Monaco on Tuesday.

Asked how they planned to fill the gap left by Alonso's decision to move to McLaren, and whether Renault intended to sign a 'superstar driver', he made clear that the team's spending power was limited.

"I wouldn't say that we have the budget to find the best drivers. I think we have a special talent to find new, very talented young drivers," Faure said.

"We will see with Kovalainen now and we may have some ideas for the future also with some young people," he added.

"I prefer, if I can, to create new stars than to buy them on the market, if possible. That's our policy and that's what we'd like to do in the future also. We like to create them, as we have created Alonso."

The 24-year-old Kovalainen is a Renault Development Driver who was runner-up in last year's GP2 feeder series and also beat Ferrari's Michael Schumacher and rally champion Sebastien Loeb in a 'Race of Champions' in Paris in 2004.

Spaniard Alonso joined Renault as a test driver in 2002 after a race debut with Minardi the previous season and, aged 24, became Formula One's youngest champion last year.

He stunned the sport in December when McLaren, Renault's closest rivals on the track in 2005, announced he would be joining them for the 2007 season.

[Jem of the Shire 0]

"I prefer, if I can, to create new stars than to buy them on the market, if possible. That's our policy

Err, why did you hire Trulli, Button, Fisichella then Mr Faure? Replacing Alonso with a youngster can only mean downhill slide. Alonso needs to be replaced with a top driver

[cristiano84 0]

Err, why did you hire Trulli, Button, Fisichella then Mr Faure? Replacing Alonso with a youngster can only mean downhill slide. Alonso needs to be replaced with a top driver

Not necessarily...did Williams suffer a slide when they hired Button or Montoya?Did Renault themselves suffer a slide when they hired 21 years old Alonso back in 2003?Did McLaren suffer a slide when they took Raikkonen away from Sauber in 2002?And did Benetton suffer a slide when they hired a certain Michael Schumacher in 1991?NO!!!History tells that when a driver is a great talent he doesn't need experience to perform.....Flav seems to have a lot of confidence in Raikkonen's old karting foe Kovalainen..I don't know,I don't rate him as high as Alonso furthemore by 2007 he'll be 26 so his age would certainly not be in line with the average of F.1 rookies (23 years).I would prefer Robert Kubica,he is younger (he's barely 21) and he has been really impressive while Kova has not always been perfect in the junior classes.

[jjoseph 0]

I believe Kovalainen will be a perfect choice for Renault

[Senna 0]

"We will have a good team in 2007 also," team president Patrick Faure told reporters at the launch of the Formula One champion manufacturer's new car in Monaco on Tuesday.

Asked how they planned to fill the gap left by Alonso's decision to move to McLaren, and whether Renault intended to sign a 'superstar driver', he made clear that the team's spending power was limited.

"I wouldn't say that we have the budget to find the best drivers. I think we have a special talent to find new, very talented young drivers," Faure said.

"We will see with Kovalainen now and we may have some ideas for the future also with some young people," he added.

"I prefer, if I can, to create new stars than to buy them on the market, if possible. That's our policy and that's what we'd like to do in the future also. We like to create them, as we have created Alonso."

The 24-year-old Kovalainen is a Renault Development Driver who was runner-up in last year's GP2 feeder series and also beat Ferrari's Michael Schumacher and rally champion Sebastien Loeb in a 'Race of Champions' in Paris in 2004.

Spaniard Alonso joined Renault as a test driver in 2002 after a race debut with Minardi the previous season and, aged 24, became Formula One's youngest champion last year.

He stunned the sport in December when McLaren, Renault's closest rivals on the track in 2005, announced he would be joining them for the 2007 season.

This is old news, but it might stimulate discussion...

[dribbler 6]

"I prefer, if I can, to create new stars than to buy them on the market, if possible. That's our policy and that's what we'd like to do in the future also. We like to create them, as we have created Alonso."

Translation;

"Everytime we get a world champion someone else nicks them because we can't seem to keep them. Let's now say that we prefer to run a rookie then let another team get the benefit......it will sound better."

[ben_3001 0]

hahAhahH I feel like stirring things up a bit :

JV with Renault in 2007....

Discuss

[dribbler 6]

hahAhahH I feel like stirring things up a bit :

JV with Renault in 2007....

Discuss

Once bitten........

[michelfx 0]

Once bitten........

find out who flavio is going to manage and that's who will be #1 driver@ renault next year.

kovalainen or paffett

[cristiano84 0]

What about an all italian line up with Trulli and Fisichella?

[michelfx 0]

What about an all italian line up with Trulli and Fisichella?

nah trulli will sit pretty @ toyota, he's going to have a couple of good seasons there by his standards

if you ask me

[cristiano84 0]

nah trulli will sit pretty @ toyota, he's going to have a couple of good seasons there by his standards

if you ask me

Yes of course but should Kimi joint them instead of Ferrari Jarno will be forced to leave and he's already been contacted by Renault...

[michelfx 0]

Yes of course but should Kimi joint them instead of Ferrari Jarno will be forced to leave and he's already been contacted by Renault...

It all depends on michael and the mclaren, if michael leaves then kimi will sign for 3 years at ferrari. On the other hand, if the mclaren doesn't break down too much he might reconsider staying with the german team.

[cristiano84 0]

Another guy to be considered a target for top teams is Christian Klien,he is a Red Bull driver okay but should he beat DC it would mean he is ready for a top team,something Red bull,with a customer supply still isn't.Mario Theissen has reportedly expressed interest in him by the end of last season so if he does well why should Renault don't consider him?

[kiko01 0]

Another guy to be considered a target for top teams is Christian Klien,he is a Red Bull driver okay but should he beat DC it would mean he is ready for a top team,something Red bull,with a customer supply still isn't.Mario Theissen has reportedly expressed interest in him by the end of last season so if he does well why should Renault don't consider him?

CK? He

[Blackops 0]

This topic seems to be more about 2007 so in that case let's look at who's out this year if they don't live up to expectations. JV unless he can outdrive Wurtz, Button and Rubens if they can't bring a win to Honda, Ralf and his 20+ million euros, and Michael if he calls it quits.

[nojvnof1 0]

I think Heikki will get Alonso's seat.

[cristiano84 0]

I think Heikki will get Alonso's seat.

He certainly has talent but he is no more a young chick to grow,he'll be 26 by 2007...

Bourdais would also be a perfect choice,the french champcar dominator in the french f.1 championship winning car

[ben_3001 0]

I am actually surprise Renault is currently not running a French driver.....*sigh*.............however JV is french (just trying in vain to stir ish up)

[Blackops 0]

I heard Sebastian Bourdais wanted a crack at Renault but they never made him an offer.