Kovalainen gets test drive spot with Renault F1 team

Finland's Heikki Kovalainen was picked Friday as Renault's test driver for the 2006 Formula One season.

Kovalainen, runner-up in the 2005 GP2 Series, will back up Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella. The Finn, who tested with Renault this season, was chosen ahead of Franck Montagny for the No. 3 spot.

Kovalainen said he hopes the test role will be a step toward a full F1 drive, AP reports.

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