Kovalainen fuel loads

[SlipStream77]

Interesting article here, apparently Heikki was fueled heavier than Lewis for all but one 'qualy' session in '08. The one where he was lighter (Silverstone) - he was on pole.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/03122008/23/kovalain...

I know this was to give McLaren a more broad strategy but why not alternate the drivers, if I were Heikki, I would be pretty unhappy about this.

I think Heikki is a lot more capable than his final '08 points standing suggests. If the article is correct, I hope McLaren give him a better chance next year.

[FNG]

I'd be interested to see the times for all the qually sessions where fuel levels were minimum.

I would imagine that the faster driver from the start of the weekend to the point that fuel loads are selected, gets the ideal fuel load.

I would also imagine that as soon as it's clear that one driver has the speed, consistency and team leadership to challenge for the championship and the other doesn't, the slower guy should accept that the only way he'll get the pick of fuel loads is to be faster than his team-mate, out-score him, and make the team focus on him instead.

Kovi's comments have been taken on a few forums as evidence of unfair treatment in the mclaren team, I have to say my sympathy doesn't go very far because the opportunity to get the best treatment and the team working on his behalf is in the hands of the driver and no-one else.

[thestig84]

Q2 comparisons

Aus Ham 1 Kov 0
Mal Ham 2 Kov 0
Bah Ham 2 Kov 1
Spn Ham 2 Kov 2
Tuk Ham 3 Kov 2
Mon Ham 4 Kov 2
Can Ham 5 Kov 2
Fra Ham 6 Kov 2
Gbr Ham 7 Kov 2
Ger Ham 8 Kov 2
Hun Ham 9 Kov 2
Val Ham 10 Kov 2
Bel Ham 10 Kov 3
Itl Ham 10 Kov 4
Sgp Ham 10 Kov 5
Jpn Ham 10 Kov 6
Chn Ham 11 Kov 6
Brz Ham 11 Kov 7

Closer than i thought actually. I think HK might have more of a point if he had shown more when he was in good positions.
Canada, He didnt really press on after top 2 DNF. Finiahed 9th
Germany, 3rd on grid with a heavier fuel load than LH and ferraris not working too well he plodded to 5th.
Silverstone, Starts P1 but finished 5th
Monza, Starts P2 but finished distant 2nd to torro rosso.

I like him and he had a lot of bad luck but I dont think he would have been winning with less fuel in Q3. He didnt show the race pace. If he has the race pace next year and is always the heavier mclaren then I will feel for him. Right now stop talking and get closer to LH in the races!

Adam

[flemke]

thestig84 said:

Q2 comparisons

Aus Ham 1 Kov 0
Mal Ham 2 Kov 0
Bah Ham 2 Kov 1
Spn Ham 2 Kov 2
Tuk Ham 3 Kov 2
Mon Ham 4 Kov 2
Can Ham 5 Kov 2
Fra Ham 6 Kov 2
Gbr Ham 7 Kov 2
Ger Ham 8 Kov 2
Hun Ham 9 Kov 2
Val Ham 10 Kov 2
Bel Ham 10 Kov 3
Itl Ham 10 Kov 4
Sgp Ham 10 Kov 5
Jpn Ham 10 Kov 6
Chn Ham 11 Kov 6
Brz Ham 11 Kov 7

One would like to know why, having been 10-2 down after Valencia, Kovalainen then came top in 5 of the final 6. Not a random outcome.

[thestig84]

Remember in Monza and Singapore LH had a mare in q2. Without those mistakes it might have been 3-3

[flemke]

thestig84 said:

Remember in Monza and Singapore LH had a mare in q2. Without those mistakes it might have been 3-3

Sure, but maybe that's part of the explanation. With the title in sight, did he begin to push too hard? Or, having pushed too hard, did he then start to play a conservative game?
10-2,1-5 is a strange pattern.