Kovalainen told to raise his game

[Wanta996Gotta]

Heikki Kovalainen has been told that he needs to raise his game over the remainder of the season if he is to have any chance of keeping hold of his seat at McLaren in 2010.

AUTOSPORT understands that Kovalainen's option for next year with McLaren has now lapsed, although the team has not ruled out retaining the Finn. Team principal Martin Whitmarsh has made it clear however that Kovalainen needs to deliver more in the next few races than he has shown so far this season - and the Finn was informed of the situation during a factory visit on Wednesday.

"Heikki is doing, as a team player, a fantastic job in this team," Whitmarsh said in a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 'Phone-In' media call. "On his own evaluation he has not raced as well as he would have liked and we would have liked him to this year.

"I was frankly just talking to him on the subject a few minutes before this call. He is working hard...

"A lot of us want to see Heikki get some good results this year, and that will ensure that he remains with us. That is certainly our wish. His goal going into Valencia this weekend is to win - and he is capable of winning the race this weekend.

"He has been a good qualifier, he has done some good qualifying times, and he is capable of qualifying well and winning this race. So that is what he is going to focus on, and I've just had that conversation with him. Then on Sunday evening he will start thinking about Spa, and that is what we want him to focus on - not all the speculation."

In a boost to Kovalainen's situation, McLaren is adamant it has not begun discussions with any other driver yet about a seat in 2010, despite fresh rumours linking Nico Rosberg with the outfit now that the German's previous likely destination BMW Sauber is out of F1.

"Speculation is normal," said Whitmarsh. "We are not commenting on it, but I can confirm that contrary to some of the speculation we are not in discussions with any other drivers outside this team at the moment."

And, denying any talk that McLaren was under pressure to take a German driver to appease engine partner Mercedes-Benz, Whitmarsh said: "In terms of nationality, obviously some nationalities from a marketing perspective are more convenient, but McLaren continues to have the strategy and policy that we will get the two best drivers in our cars every season, and that is what we will continue to do."

Source - http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77771

I think its bit rich Mclaren saying this at the moment as the team have just got the car competitive. True that he had no excuse last year but give the guy a chance.

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Wednesday 19th August 16:21

[dpbird90]

True, but compare him to Lewis in the same car, he does need to get his arse into gear. We all know Merc want a German second driver, and McLaren reportedly wanted Rosberg when Alonso left, but his Williams contract was until the end of 2009. I can see him replacing Kovalainen, and then McLaren will be pretty much unstoppable. 2 of the best drivers out there, in a very competitive car. Watch the constructors trophies come flying in.

[GingerWizard]

I dont think you need to give anyone a chance in F1. You are either good enough or not. Its not the winning races that counts. Its your comparative speed in the race, look at Jenson, he has always been good enough, just had a stty car. Now Heikki has had a pretty good crack at the whip in a pretty good car, I say the numbers don't lie..... Rally anyone!?

[FourWheelDrift]

You know Nick Heidfeld was a McLaren/Mercedes protege in the lower formulas, before being overlooked in favour of Kimi Raikkonen when they were both at Sauber for the McLaren drive. He's a German & available. If not there's Nico Hulkenberg, but he's Williams test driver.

[dpbird90]

FourWheelDrift said:

You know Nick Heidfeld was a McLaren/Mercedes protege in the lower formulas, before being overlooked in favour of Kimi Raikkonen when they were both at Sauber for the McLaren drive. He's a German & available. If not there's Nico Hulkenberg, but he's Williams test driver.

Yeah but while Heidfeld has the experience, which is good for setting the car up just right, he's not won a race in the whole time he's been in F1, but we know the BMW pre 2009 was a car capable of winning. It's the old youth vs experience thing, do they get an old hand who'll be great at car development, or a young future champion? McLaren do have a quite experienced team of test drivers, so I think the best thing to do is sign Rosberg.

[mchammer89]

dpbird90 said:

FourWheelDrift said:

You know Nick Heidfeld was a McLaren/Mercedes protege in the lower formulas, before being overlooked in favour of Kimi Raikkonen when they were both at Sauber for the McLaren drive. He's a German & available. If not there's Nico Hulkenberg, but he's Williams test driver.

Yeah but while Heidfeld has the experience, which is good for setting the car up just right, he's not won a race in the whole time he's been in F1, but we know the BMW pre 2009 was a car capable of winning. It's the old youth vs experience thing, do they get an old hand who'll be great at car development, or a young future champion? McLaren do have a quite experienced team of test drivers, so I think the best thing to do is sign Rosberg.

But with testing pretty limited I think it's much better to have a driver who is good at developing and setting up the car.

[AlpineWhite]

FourWheelDrift said:

You know Nick Heidfeld was a McLaren/Mercedes protege in the lower formulas, before being overlooked in favour of Kimi Raikkonen when they were both at Sauber for the McLaren drive. He's a German & available.

I think he was overlooked for a reason, and I haven't seen much since 2001 that would change my mind.

Rosberg surely would be favourite for the McLaren drive. I like Heikki, but it has to be said, he hasn't done enough in the last 18 months.

[Mat Hammond]

My money is on Rosberg or Kubica for the McLaren seat in 2010.

[Adamantium]

Heikki hasnt performed, he hasnt compared well to lewis since day one unfortunatly and i honestly dont feel he is quick enough or he is unable to adapt to the car like lewis has. However i do like him! seems like a ncie guy and must be quick. i think also mclaren are worried about having 2 top drivers in the team now.

[custardtart]

The problem for Mclaren is that he's just not been quick enough to win them the constructors. Without a dominant car they needs someone as a number two just a tiny bit quicker, Rosberg would be perfect except he won't want to hang around as a number two for long. Kubica would be ideal I reckon.

[deevlash]

hasnt Heidfield outscored kubica in all the seasons hes been with Kubica?

[FourWheelDrift]

deevlash said:

hasnt Heidfield outscored kubica in all the seasons hes been with Kubica?

It's one all so far, with Heidfeld ahead in 2009 as well. Heidfeld also has the most points in total.

2007
Heidfeld - 61 points
Kubica - 39 points

2008
Kubica - 75
Heidfeld - 60

[entropy]

Mat Hammond said:

My money is on Rosberg or Kubica for the McLaren seat in 2010.

They're buddies with Lewis and he rates both of them.

Doubt Lewis wants a repeat of 2007 all over again.

[skinny]

Mat Hammond said:

My money is on Rosberg or Kubica for the McLaren seat in 2010.

imo kubica is more likely to go to renault or possibly even ferrari than mclaren. would love to see heidfeld going there as he has a lot to offer (one of the best feedback / development drivers, and can definitely overtake) but i think rosberg is maybe more likely. i don't see heidfeld out of a drive next year, i think he'll find himself in a half decent team too. he has finished every race since japan '07 i believe which is a pretty good record.

[Jasandjules]

If Heikki has the same car and the same number of people helping etc as Lewis then he's simply not been good enough IMHO. Of course there are going to be retirements which are not the driver's fault BUT if your team mate constantly beats you.......

[Ralf Rockefeller]

It would be good to see "quick Nick" at Mclaren. I think he would the role and the team- German, not too much of a threat to Lewis in overall spreed, but will bring home the points for the constructors championship.

Also guessing he has a fair bit of sponsorship behind him if needed.

[Alfie Noakes]

The problem is that team principal Anthony Hamilton will not want someone who is going too push his boy too much.

Mclaren like Finns and Rosberg is as close to a Finn as anyone available. However I heard a story a while ago that suggested Frank Williams did not rate Rosberg very highly. He seems to be OK now though. I wonder what they did to him – Red hot poker perhaps?

I don’t think Kubica would go well at Mclaren, he’d become even more grey and moaning and probably top himself before the end of the season.

And sorry but I think Heidi has passed his sell by date.

[chevronb37]

I heard a suggestion that Heikki has suffered far more as a result of last season's accident than has really been credited. I rated the guy highly until F1 where he's really been a let-down. I'd get Rosberg in if I was Martin Whitmarsh. I really think Heidfeld is excellent, but if McLaren rated him that highly they would've taken advantage of his availability in 2001.

[jellison]

He will be out for sure next year - Dead weight, done dick compared to Hamilton in the same cars and just crumbles under pressure from behind. Not really a racer. Yes he can be fast in Qualy, but a racer in the Mansell, Hamilton, Fernando mold - NOT EVEN CLOSE, so why have him in one of only 20 - 26 cars on and F1 Grid.

Time to pension him off to Sportscars!!!

They no doubt want Kubica.

[rubystone]

"If I were Rosberg I'd put my signature on that Williams extension right now" said an F1 sage to me recently, when talking about the effect that Kubica becoming available would have on the market.

Nico told me a couple of years ago that he had the chance to drive for McLaren but he and his father didn't want him to be compared to Hamilton. I guess right now he'd not worry about that.

So my guess is Kubica to McLaren, Rosberg stays at Williams and Kovalainen either goes back to Renault - he is still managed by Flav isn't he or he's out of a drive. And as for "Quick Nick" having an unblemished finishing record, F1 isn't about tortoises and hares....I agree with whoever posted that he should have been capable of winning at least one race in that BMW....

I am still waiting to see where Bruno Senna ends up though - I really do think he's a wildcard and I was told he was talking to Flav this year....