Formula 1: Alonso deal puts Button under pressure

Jenson Button saw the pressure on him to succeed next season upped a notch last night when Renault signed highly-rated Spaniard Fernando Alonso as their test driver for next year.

The new campaign is still four months away but Button will know that he will have to show the talent that saw him tipped as a potential world champion if he wants to retain his seat for 2003.

Alonso, who had an impressive debut season last year despite not scoring any points, has opted for a testing role instead of staying with European Minardi for another year.

But the inference from Renault formerly Benetton boss Flavio Briatore is that the 20-year-old, whose contract he controls, is being earmarked for a race seat in 2003.

With Italy’s Jarno Trulli, who has joined from Jordan, virtually guaranteed the other seat that could leave Button searching for a drive if Williams - as seem likely - do not take up their option on him.

‘‘We have followed Fernando’s performance very closely this season,’’ said Briatore. ‘‘He did an excellent job and we therefore decided that it was important to integrate him quickly into the Renault F1 programme.

‘‘As our test driver next year, Fernando will have the opportunity to fully develop his talent and, in the seasons to come, I’m sure that he will be a strong asset in the team’s challenge for the championship.’’

Button, 21, had a good debut season with Williams in 2000 scoring 12 points but was loaned out because of the Grove-based team’s contractual commitments to Colombia’s Juan Pablo Montoya.

The Frome-born racer found life far more difficult last season and managed just two points in the Benetton and it was reported that Briatore had given him the chance to walk away from his two-year deal.

Button was not helped by an uncompetitive car in the early part of the season but was beginning to show his true form in the last few races.

Alonso’s switch leaves question marks over the future of Renault’s current test driver Mark Webber, the Australian whose contract is also controlled by Briatore.

One option could be Minardi, who will now be looking for a partner for Malaysia’s Alex Yoong.