Finn on pole for Renault race seat

(GMM) Renault tester Heikki Kovalainen admits that he is probably on pole position to snatch McLaren-bound Fernando Alonso's race seat in 2007.

According to some paddock sources, the 24-year-old rookie Finn has already been told that he will line up alongside teammate Giancarlo Fisichella next year.

''I made a long-term commitment to Renault,'' Kovalainen told the Belgian 'Grenz-Echo' publication, ''and I believe I have a good chance to drive races in 2007.

''It is well-known that Fernando Alonso is leaving the team.''

Kovalainen, who showed off last year's 'R25' car to fans at Zolder for the Renault World Series opener at the weekend, revealed that he has received offers of F1 seats from other teams.

He insisted: ''But (accepting them) would not have been right.''