Kovalainen to stay with McLaren for 2009
McLaren confirm Heikki Kovalainen will continue in 2009 season
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Thursday, 31, Jul 2008 01:07
Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen will continue with McLaren Mercedes in the 2009 formula one season, the team has confirmed.
Chief executive Martin Whitmarsh said the young starlet will continue as Lewis Hamilton's partner at the Woking-based team, despite rumours he could be axed at the end of 2008.
Kovalainen has largely failed to live up to expectations after joining McLaren from Renault last winter, replacing Fernando Alonso who returned to the French marque after just one year.
The Finn has scored only 28 points - less than half the total of Hamilton, who is the current world championship leader - and is sixth in the drivers' standings behind his team-mate, both Ferraris and both BMWs.
But Whitmarsh said he is keen to continue working with Kovalianen to "extract his full potential", describing the 26-year-old as "a brilliant young racing driver".
"We welcomed Heikki on board at the start of the year," the team supremo explained.
"He is under contract to McLaren Mercedes and will race for us in the 2009 season."
The announcement was made as the teams begin their preparations for round 11 of the F1 world championship at the Hungaroring in Hungary this weekend.