Oct.20 (GMM) Nelson Piquet Jr in Brazil said he is confident he will make his formula one race debut in 2008.

Like many of his hopeful young peers, the 22-year-old - who is currently Renault's test driver - is waiting on the impact on the driver market of what has become known as the 'Fernando Alonso factor'.

But Piquet told the newspaper Jornal da Tarde: "Someone will give me a chance to prove that I have what it takes to be a good formula one driver."

Renault boss Flavio Briatore, clearly waiting to see if Alonso will be a free agent for next year, told reporters at Interlagos that he could not promise a decision about the team's next driver lineup in the "next few days, few weeks, few months".

Piquet seemed unfazed by the Alonso factor.

"All I want is my chance," he said, "and if Alonso does not come to Renault, there will always be someone else who wants him."