Heikki Kovalainen’s F1 career in video
7th October 2009, 6:00 by Journeyer 106 Comments »
Kovalainen scored his maiden Grand Prix win at the Hungaring last year
F1 Fanatic guest writer Journeyer looks back on the career of McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen – including that famous victory over Michael Schumacher.
As we approach the end of the season, there are doubts over the future of Heikki Kovalainen. It was just two years ago when he scored his first podium here with arguably his best drive to date. And he has a Japanese fan club too! In fact, they’ll be helping us look back at the career of Kovalainen.
2003 – After many promising seasons in the lower formulae (most notably second in Macau in 2002), Kovalainen moved to the World Series by Nissan. He took one win in that inaugural season (at the Eurospeedway) to finish second overall, but it was his teammate Franck Montagny who won the title. Here’s some amateur footage of Heikki’s winning weekend.
2004 – The first time Kovalainen’s name hit the mainstream was during the 2004 Race of Champions. And in the ultimate breakout moment, he beat Michael Schumacher! Not only that, but he also went on to beat Sebastien Loeb and be crowned that year’s “Champion of Champions”. Many thought the up-and-coming Finn was someone to look out for.
2005 – After winning the WSN title at his second attempt, Kovalainen decided to join the inaugural season of GP2. He was locked in a season-long duel with Nico Rosberg for the championship. He had some magnificent drives (like this winning drive in Turkey from seventh on the grid), and came to the last round only a point behind. But a terrible weekend in Bahrain handed the title to Rosberg.
2006 – Kovalainen took a year off from racing to be Renault’s third driver. But he wasn’t completely idle, testing the car and driving it at PR events. One of them was in 2007, when he drove the R26 on the Top Gear Test Track – and blew everyone’s minds.
2007 – He was soon promoted to a race seat, replacing the departing Fernando Alonso. His rookie season was a tale of two halves. The first half was very challenging, with Heikki barely able to score. But after a drive from last to fourth in Canada turned his season around. By Japan, he found himself second, having to defend from a charging Kimi Raikkonen. Heikki’s nerve held, and he stayed ahead to the flag.
Heikki soon found himself going up against Michael Schumacher again in the Race of Champions, this time as part of the Nations Cup. And once again, Heikki beat him! Murray Walker is on commentary.
2008 – Heikki then moved to McLaren for his second season, again replacing the departing Fernando Alonso (as an indirect consequence of Spygate the previous year). If Alonso got pipped by Hamilton, Heikki would find it tougher. Here he is chasing down the Rebault of Alonso in Australia.
Kovalainen’s low point that year was the horrific crash he suffered in Spain, after a mechanical failure. He was lucky not to be injured.
He has the curious distinction of being the 100th Grand Prix winner when he took his debut win in Hungary. It may seem a bit of a fluke (after Hamilton then Massa fell out of contention), but Kovalainen stayed out of trouble and was there to pick up the pieces. In the words of Ron Dennis, “welcome to the world of winning.”
2009 – Year two with McLaren has been very difficult. After starting with a difficult car, McLaren managed to improve it over the course of the season, and Hamilton has taken full advantage to win two races so far this year and contend for two others. But Heikki has yet to step on the podium this season. His qualifying lap at Monza to put a heavy car fourth has arguably been the highlight of his season so far. Unfortunately, an awful first lap quickly dropped him out of contention.
So what does the future hold for Kovalainen? Perhaps this video gives us part of the answer:
Many say that Kovalainen and McLaren just hasn’t been a good fit, and that Kovalainen is quicker than he currently seems. If Heikki wants to prove that right, he’ll probably need to do it with another team in another car.
Adrian said on 7th October 2009, 9:14
Perhaps with Heikki’s popularity in Japan, he might be a good fit at Toyota if they carry on in the sport…
Remco said on 7th October 2009, 9:41
Now we know at least the true identity of The Stig @ one event…..the powerlap with the Renault F1 R26 on the Top Gear Test Track
Nice…..
spawinte said on 7th October 2009, 11:14
First thing that came to mind when I saw this article was that Keith is getting this career review in because we may never see heikki in F1 again after McLaren get rid of him.
mp4-19b said on 7th October 2009, 11:27
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Kovalainen has been confirmed at McLaren until 2012.
spawinte said on 7th October 2009, 11:37
That sounds unlikely but cool if its true
MacademiaNut said on 7th October 2009, 18:24
RAI likely to go to RedBull?
http://www.crash.net/f1/news/153283/1/raikkonen_to_red_bull_in_f1_2010_as_mclaren_talks_stall.html
Steph90 said on 7th October 2009, 11:31
I like Heikki, hope he stays in F1 though maybe he doesn’t yet deserve a place with a top team
Fer no.65 said on 7th October 2009, 11:50
Wrong!
The top gear drive was done on a R24! And it was in 2004.
And i guess nobody really knows if it really was Heikki.
It could well have been Montagny!
Journeyer said on 8th October 2009, 17:03
Thanks for the correction on TG, Fer.
Can you correct it, Keith?
Harv's said on 9th October 2009, 1:10
no it wasnt, im sure its the R25!
im going to watch the top gear dvd to make sure
mp4-19b said on 7th October 2009, 12:01
Bad news for Kimi fans
He’s likely going to red bull & kovi is staying put.
Steph90 said on 7th October 2009, 12:07
Thanks mp4, I’m actually really annoyed about that even though I am a Ferrari fan next year was going to be epic with ham-kimi mclaren and alo-mas ferrari!
Chris said on 7th October 2009, 12:10
Where is this reported mp4-19b?
Mahir C said on 7th October 2009, 12:14
what? Kimi is going to RedBull?
Sa said on 7th October 2009, 12:15
Echo Chris, where are you getting these reports from? if its true mclaren have made a poor choice, i like him as a person, but Mclaren do not have a chance of winning the WCC with Hekki at the wheel
mp4-19b said on 7th October 2009, 12:44
Its still unconfirmed though. Martin Whitmarsh likes kovi a lot. In fact he adores him. Earlier this year Norbert Haugh had a big confrontation with Whitmarsh regarding Kovi’s contract. Martin’s supported Kovi very vocally. Haug wanted Nico for 09 itself, but Whitmarsh disagreed. This is also one of the reasons for the souring of relationship between mclaren & benz. But I can tell you that Kovi is almost a certainty for next year.
Super Aguri said on 7th October 2009, 13:51
Martin Whitmarsh – With Ron and Martin sharing the duties. It was always Martin that played good cop and Ron playing the favorites. About his liking Kovi, I think he is just playing fair to the Finn, I remember McLaren race debriefs from last year , when Ron used to cover 3-4 paragraphs on Lewis’s race weekend and then Martin doing his regular 3-4 lines stuff “Fuel corrected Kovi was faster than lewis in qualifiers, the strategy/tyre choice/traffic…… meant Kovi couldn’t display true race pace and his race got compromised” and similar statements defending Kovy.
Daffid said on 7th October 2009, 13:55
Why would that be bad news for Kimi fans?
Even if it were true, the RedBull is the best car on the grid, and with Merc engines next year I’d expect it still to be up there. And if McLaren lose those engines I’d expect them to have a year in the doldrums. Not that any of it matters as I don’t think Kimi’s going to Red Bull.
George said on 7th October 2009, 18:34
Red Bull are running 3 drivers next year then? Webber and Vettel have contracts already
sicali said on 7th October 2009, 19:27
similarly Ferrari had two contracted drivers for 2010, look how that turned out
James G said on 7th October 2009, 20:28
I see your point, but dropping a Raikkonen for Fernando Alonso is one thing and dropping Mark Webber for Heikki Kovalainen is another thing entirely. I’d be surprised if it’s true, but this is F1 and anything can happen!
Gill said on 8th October 2009, 6:32
They rnt dropping Webber for Heikki, they are dropping Webber for Kimi and thats something. Ofcourse KImi is better than Webber
Steph90 said on 7th October 2009, 12:10
I saw similar reports, I was a bit more sceptical about the Kimi argument and believed the Grosjean rumours but now maybe it is true. Big, big shame if it is.
mp4-19b said on 7th October 2009, 12:51
I bet my a$$!! Mclaren will never win the constructors as long as they employ Kovi! He’s not even a good number 2 driver. Flavio was right about him.
MacademiaNut said on 7th October 2009, 18:26
It’s sad, but I agree.
Mahir C said on 7th October 2009, 12:19
He has trouble getting up to speed in the 1st stints of the races. Once that phase is over, his times are much closer to Hamilton’s.
Shame he is likely to stay in Mclaren though. He is not that bad once he sorts the 1st stints of races, but I would like to see Raikonenn against Hamilton in Mclaren.
Red Andy said on 7th October 2009, 15:10
Trouble is that next year, with no refuelling, the whole race will be one big first stint.
mp4-19b said on 7th October 2009, 15:35
Steph90 said on 7th October 2009, 12:26
I posted some reports in driver line up prediction forum but just spectualtion, and Kimi stuff I wasn’t sure about esp not RBR but if there are more reports I’m beginning to be more convinced. If Kimi does not go to mclaren they will not win constructors, I wonder how much it would have to do with Hamilton camp too. Still is speculation but we should know at end of season.
Super Aguri said on 7th October 2009, 12:36
Mp4 is right.. unconfirmed reports and the fact that Kimi Raikonnen’s manager, mentioned on Finnish TV that teams will not make decision till end of season, gives a good indication of direction in which McLaren is heading. If they wanted Kimi, McLaren would have snapped the Finn the moment Alonso’s Ferrari announcement was made.
BTW can any one guess who are the biggest champions of Heikki’s McLaren contract being renewed? Its the Hamiltons the father-son are keen not to have Raikonnen back in McLaren
. Pretty much tells about their insecurity for Competition within the team doesn’t it?
My suspicion is that Heikki being last of the drivers who had proper season as “Test driver” when there were no testing bans also has something to with Hamiltons/McLaren wanting Heikki in the second car. Now that De la Rossa is surely not going to be with Woking squad next year, and Kimi’s ‘Inability’ of working with Engineers is ‘Well circulated’ around the paddock, McLaren doesn’t want to take chance of two fast but technically dud drivers in their stable.
So it will be Heikki setting up the cars and used as guinea pig on strategy and Lewis going for glory in McLaren then…
mp4-19b said on 7th October 2009, 12:47
Yes. If its true, them Antony & Lewis Hamilton are a pair of sheep’s!! Cowards!
Steph90 said on 7th October 2009, 13:22
Yes if I am right didn’t Prost do something similar at Williams and at first block Mansell and Senna? Didn’t Senna call him a coward? I prefer to wait until the facts come out if ever but if this is the case I’m very disappointed.
Tim said on 7th October 2009, 14:25
Prost blocked Senna at Williams for 1993, but Mansell effectively blocked himself. Having just sealed the ’92 world title, Nigel demanded a significantly higher salary which Williams declined to pay. With no competitive F1 drive on offer, Mansell headed to the USA.
There was a specific clause in Prost’s contract which excluded the team from signing Senna, even though the latter had offered to drive for free. The rivalry between the two was still fairly bitter by this point. Ayrton was not particularly happy with this and accused Prost of unsporting conduct.
Juan said on 7th October 2009, 16:32
You’re assuming that Hamilton, who is on his intro contract has any say in the matter. That would be stretching it, and frankly insane. There is NO way that McLaren would let a first time driver get that kind of leverage on their intro contract.
mp4-19b said on 7th October 2009, 16:55
Problem is I fear that McLaren are slowly turning into the Ferrari of the M.Schumacher era. They have a world champion & want a good back up second driver. They are wanting kovi to turn into some kind of R.Barichello. I as a McLaren fan wouldn’t want that to happen, even if it means losing WDC & WCC. I’vealways known mclaren as the team who don’t fear to pit 2 world class drivers against each other. No other F1 teams (maybe Williams) would dare to even think like that.
PJA said on 7th October 2009, 17:25
Isn’t Hamilton on his second F1 contract? I think he signed an improved contract after his first season.
But even if Hamilton isn’t on his first contract I very much doubt McLaren would have let a clause be put in the contract that let Hamilton a veto who was in the other car.
Alex Bkk said on 7th October 2009, 13:10
Re: Kimi’s inability to of working with Engineers”
That comment does contrast severely with earlier comments on Fanatic that Kimi @ Macca was very well respected for his input into the car.
Got a source?
Super Aguri said on 7th October 2009, 13:19
As I have mentioned in my post “Well Circulated”. Which means perception, and who has created that Well Kimi’s ex-bosses. The Source – statement of Ron Dennis after Kimi left McLaren in 2006 and now Luca D Monte___’s latest press release about Kimi holding things inside etc…
Alex Bkk said on 7th October 2009, 13:33
That sounds more like an excuse than a reason…that Ron or Luca say’s so doesn’t really make it true. Does it?
Super Aguri said on 7th October 2009, 13:41
My Friend the two names in questions have never said anything that is true, so I completely agree with you. But then they have their strong likes and dislikes and additionally power of leading marquee names teams in F1, so they are Gods in their own Universe.
Balley Ho said on 7th October 2009, 13:31
per·cep·tion
Pronunciation: \pər-’sep-shən\ – a mental image
Unfortunately/Fortunately made or wrecked many a careers in F1 (as in other walks of life). An average driver doing well in cleverly designed car has survived years of lacklustre performance due to “Perception” of his “Smooth driving style.
When Driver A Bins the car in promising position on last lap he is trying 110% and thats the sign of a racer.
When Driver B (lack of PR) does that he ends up being jeered by the same pandits..
Thats perception for you.
Whether Kimi is good technically or not, whether Lewis is good with Car setup or he depends upon his team-mates experience.. we the outsiders will never know and will have to be objective in our evaluations of Lewis,Kimi, Alonso, Heikki or for that matter any driver, and refrain from making superficial comments just because a martin brundle or a james allen makes it. They are journalist (in Martin’s case driver management firm) have conflict of interests
Alex Bkk said on 7th October 2009, 13:36
Touche Bailly!
Super Aguri said on 7th October 2009, 13:15
Kimi Raikkonen’s manager has revealed he is seeking a signature on a 2010 contract for the Finn by the time F1 disbands for the season in Abu Dhabi early next month. The 30-year-old last week ended his contract for next season with Maranello based Ferrari, warning at Suzuka that if he cannot find another top drive for 2010, he will either stay or home or go rallying.Raikkonen’s manager Steve Robertson told the Finnish daily Turun Sanomat that he is currently in talks with multiple potential F1 teams — and one or two that do not seem to be on the hunt for a new driver.”Hopefully within the next 2 or 3 weeks we will have done something,” said the Briton.Previously, Robertson had admitted the possibility of a return for Raikkonen to McLaren.
He adds: “Top teams want to decide upon their drivers before the season ends in Abu Dhabi in November.”
If Martin Whitmarsh wanted to get rid of Heikki and latch on to Kimi they wouldn’t wait till Abu Dhabi. From outsiders Perception Heikki Sucks, so what is it stopping McLaren from dropping him for their Former favorite Blue-eyed boy:-?
Alex Bkk said on 7th October 2009, 13:26
Thanks for the link Aguri. Well your comment certainly echoes the truth in what mp4 suggested and I would agree with Kovi beigh at macca if F1 contracts were run by logic! hahaha
Maybe we’ll know the truth in a few days?
Daffid said on 7th October 2009, 17:28
Alex you make an interesting point about Mansell, which sounds very true but intriguingly that’s not how Mansell saw himself. In Christopher Hilton’s biography he makes a comparison of himself with Keke Rosberg explaining how he was strong on developing a car and communicating with engineers whereas Rosberg would just take the car he was given and “drive the wheels off it.”
Who’s to know the truth? Although I did laugh a couple of years ago when DC rubbished Peter Windsor’s endless dissections of different driving styles and their repercussions on set-ups, saying (roughly) he’d never experienced any of the thing’s discussed, and he’d driven the cars.
The truth will always be hard to pin down and will never be an absolute, only a shade of grey. Kovi didn’t become a bad driver overnight any more than Fisi has. They may not be potential champions but the ability Kovi showed prior to F1 and in the latter half of his time at Renault was significant. Maybe the issue is the car/style conflict, maybe it’s pressure, maybe he’s another Trulli and blows hot and cold. But McLaren could always do worse, they could take up Eddie Jordan’s suggestion for a new team, and hire Ralf Schumacher…
Daffid said on 7th October 2009, 17:29
Whoops, replied to the wrong bit of the thread… I’ll get me coat
mp4-19b said on 7th October 2009, 13:38
I have no particular sources. The fact that mclaren have chosen to wait until the end of the season makes me skeptical. Again, I really don’t know how mclaren would justify their retaining of Kovi? he isn’t exactly race winning material. I came to that conclusion long ago, back at monza last year. Remember where he qualified? He was second, in that superior mclaren, yet he finished 15 odd seconds behind vettel. Its was a race he should have won. but insteat he chose to complain about spray, tire graining etc.
this is what Kovi had to say on his suzuka race:
Is this the maximum he can go? How is it that hamilton managed to finish up on the podium & Kovi well out of the points, loitering in 11th? That Mclaren, in the hands of any other driver would have surely made it into the points. Hamilton & Kovi were driving identical cars. Even if Lewis is god, reincarnation of Senna & everything, Kovi shouldn’t be so far off the pace.
Most importantly if it is Hamilton who’s vetoing against kimi, he’s a coward. If he really thinks he’s the British Senna, he shouldn’t have any problem tackling Kimi. I think Hamilton well on course to become another Schumacher. In the process he’ll end up losing supporters like me.
Alex Bkk said on 7th October 2009, 13:58
Agreed, I remember Shui winning a WDC in basically a Ford V8 against v12′s and v10′s. I can’t see Ham doing that? Look how Kimi won the WDC for Ferrari? Storybook stuff!
Ham isn’t Senna or Shumi, he’s just Lewis, but Alonso is the Devil!
Cheers
Daffid said on 7th October 2009, 14:11
Kovi’s comment followed his earlier explanation that the car was totally unsuited to his driving style, this gets glossed over again and again whenever ‘equal cars’ are discussed. The McLaren will be styled to suit Hamilton, just as whoever partnered Michael had to put up with cars designed around him. (That particularly hurt Johnny Herbert, whose preferred set-up couldn’t have been more different.)
Whatever one think’s about Kovi’s ability – and I don’t particularly rate him – you’ve misunderstood what he’s said and are sensationalising his failings.
Alex Bkk said on 7th October 2009, 14:38
I understand what you’re saying Daffid, but then we go back to the No.1 driving issue. So then who is the car built around? A Lewis or an Alonso, A Shumi or a Irvine or a Massa and a Alonso? And that brings us back to the “Teams claiming equal equipment” or “both drivers are equal”?
Will RB design it’s next car around Webber? I think not.
I never thought Herbert was top shelf, Shumi was beating Piquet Sr. in a car that whas designed around…certainly not Alessandro Nannini, or do I have my years mixed up? But then again look at Prost and Senna at Macca?
I remember a comment about Mansel and Patrisse from a Williams engineer re: their driving styles in the traction control cars. Mansel just puts his foot down and ignores the fact that he can’t feel the road, and Ricardo….well.
If anyone has that quote can they post it?
sumedh said on 7th October 2009, 16:22
I beg to differ.
Heikki is a good (not best) no.2 driver in my opinion. He is not fast enough to match Lewis, which makes it easier for the team to give the better strategy to the quicker driver. It avoids late season controversy.
Look at all the championships from 1994, they have been won by drivers having undisputed no.1 status in the team. Even Kimi had that advantage going into the last 2 races of 2007.
Lewis and Anthony are being wise and practical, not cowards
Super Aguri said on 7th October 2009, 16:42
Agreed to that, fans may get emotional and sentimental about favorite teams, favorite drivers etc; but Drivers need to take a pragmatic approach about their F1 career. Just commiting to to sly fox like Ron Dennis ” I want to drive for your team because my childhood hero drove for you” is not the right approach. Alonso forgot to dot all the I and cross all the Ts in his secret marriage to McLaren and the result is well know, Ron two timed him for prettier girl that came along the way.
mp4-19b said on 7th October 2009, 16:44
Of course he’s good!! He’s good according to you, because he always fails to take points off Ferrari
But if McLaren are serious about winning the constructors championship next year they have to replace Kovi.
Alex Bkk said on 7th October 2009, 12:58
mp4…I agree if indeed Kimi is not going to Macca because of Lewis wanting to be the No.1 and the same can be said for Mercedes and Haug if other comments are accurate.
Alex Bkk said on 7th October 2009, 13:43
It is again interesting again when a driver can cay to his employer “That the WDC is more important than the WCC.”
Schumacher delivered both…..can Lewis?
Steph90 said on 7th October 2009, 13:23
Kub to Renault official. More to follow?
Alex Bkk said on 7th October 2009, 13:28
Has to be Steph….but when?
mp4-19b said on 7th October 2009, 14:01
Its confirmed. Not really a surprise though.
Tiomkin said on 7th October 2009, 15:14
Thanks for the link
Steph90 said on 7th October 2009, 13:43
Think they’ll start rolling pretty soon, maybe will linger abit longer, maybe few weeks after season finale. I’m on websites now checking see if there is even a whisper.
Alex Bkk said on 7th October 2009, 13:45
Same here!
Steph90 said on 7th October 2009, 14:12
No surprise but good to see things are beginning to move, and if everyone is beginning to take their seats might hurry some drvers up