Kovalainen has impressed in GP2 this season
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F1 championship leaders Renault have drafted in Heikki Kovalainen as reserve driver for Sunday's US Grand Prix.
Regular French reserve Franck Montagny is unavailable because he is competing in the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race.
Finn Kovalainen, who has tested for the team, will not take part in Friday practice because Renault are ineligible for a third car.
But he will be on hand should the team need a replacement for Fernando Alonso or Giancarlo Fisichella.
Kovalainen is leading the GP2 series that has replaced Formula 3000 as a support event at European Grands Prix.