Renault rookie Heikki Kovalainen hopes to take Formula One by stealth this season, even as he steps into the shoes of double world champion Fernando Alonso.

"I hope I can be a surprise," the Finn told reporters at the launch of Renault's 2007 car on Wednesday.

"Obviously not many people know about me yet and I need to try to make some kind of impact."

The 25-year-old makes his debut in Melbourne on March 18 with the sort of opportunity that most grand prix drivers with far more experience can only dream of, a car that could make him a winner from day one.

Replacing Spaniard Alonso, who has moved to McLaren after taking the last two championships, Kovalainen could become the first driver to win on his debut since Italy's Giancarlo Baghetti in 1961.

With Renault the team to beat in 2005 and 2006, he could even be a championship contender if he and the sleek new R27 car are as good as the team think they are.

At the moment, despite team boss Flavio Briatore building him up as potentially another Alonso, the youngster wants to keep expectations firmly in hand.

"Anything is possible, I've prepared well and I feel very confident for the season but it's too early to make too many predictions," he said.

Finishing in Melbourne and scoring points are his immediate target.

EQUAL STATUS

Kovalainen has equal status with Giancarlo Fisichella within the team, although the Italian is presented as very much the lead driver on the basis of experience and continuity.

"For me the most important thing when we did the deal at Renault was that I wanted to be equal with whoever I was driving with," said the Finn, a Renault test driver last year.

"We start as equals and that's enough for me.

"Everybody is in Formula One to win and of course I would want to win a race," he said of his ambitions for the season. "But at the moment it's not worth thinking about.

"But to be top rookie is not enough. You want to be as high (in the standings) as possible and you've got to try and do the maximum always.

"I have to be very aggressive. I'm not going to take it slowly and steady and see, trying to avoid everything. I will attack to the maximum and try to take my place in Formula One."

If he succeeds, Kovalainen will soon attract the sort of media attention surrounding compatriot Kimi Raikkonen.

Asked whether he had a similar party lifestyle to Schumacher's replacement at Ferrari, Kovalainen grinned.

"Let's just say I haven't been caught yet," he replied.