Alonso declares Kubica the future star

Istanbul: Poland's Robert Kubica can be a Formula One star of the future, according to world champion Fernando Alonso.

"Big names are going out and new young people will come in and become big names," the Renault driver said at the Turkish Grand Prix on Thursday when asked about the recent abrupt departures of former champion Jacques Villeneuve and Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya.

"This is what happens always. We lost Villeneuve but Kubica came in, who I think is a good driver and probably a star of the future," said the 25-year-old Spaniard.

Canadian Villeneuve was replaced by Poland's first Formula One driver at BMW Sauber for this month's Hungarian Grand Prix.

The 21-year-old, formerly the team's third driver in Friday practice, finished seventh in that race but was later disqualified for having an underweight car due to excessive tyre wear.

The following day, BMW announced that Villeneuve would not be racing for them again in a mutual separation that effectively ended the straight-talking Canadian's grand prix career after 163 races and 11 wins.

NASCAR Series

Colombian Montoya left McLaren last month after deciding to switch to the US NASCAR series next year in a move that was far more surprising to Formula One than the departure of Villeneuve.

Kubica has been told he will drive in the remaining five races of the season but has yet to be confirmed beyond that by BMW as team mate to Germany's Nick Heidfeld.

"It is a test for me and a good possibility to get some experience for the future, and maybe even for next year," the Pole said.

"But there is no decision (for 2007), there is nothing, but I will try and do as I have all season, to do as good as possible and then we will see if it is enough."

He also made clear he felt little sympathy for Villeneuve in one of the most competitive and cut-throat of sports.

"I don't see a big difference if I replace Villeneuve or someone else," he said. "I think Jacques was trying to keep his seat and I was trying to do the best job as possible to show to (team boss) Mario (Theissen) and the people who decide in our team that I can do a good job.

"That is part of the game. Everybody is trying to do the best they can and this is life, both in F1 and sport generally," said Kubica.