Sep.13 (GMM) Nelson Piquet has dropped a big hint that he will make his formula one debut next year for Renault.

The French team's Brazilian test driver has said in an interview that he is not disappointed that he did not line up on the grid for the Enstone based outfit in 2007.

"If I would have driven this year for Renault, it would not have been so good because the team is not in top form," Piquet, 22, is quoted as saying by sportnet.at.

"Perhaps next year will be exactly the right time for me, as was the case with Lewis (Hamilton at McLaren)."

Irrespective of Flavio Briatore's reported interest in re-hiring Fernando Alonso for next year, Heikki Kovalainen is thought to have his race seat secured for 2008.

Italian veteran Giancarlo Fisichella, meanwhile, said in Monza last week that he was expecting to be confirmed for 2008 "maybe this weekend, maybe next week".