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Heikki Kovalainen (19 posts)

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Tom L. said 2 years, 9 months ago:

Dan – I think I have to agree with you on that one, Heikki hasn’t yet showed the kind of performance that Jarno at his best could pull out. But it’s easy to forget that Heikki’s only been in F1 three and a half years and his best years are still ahead of him. On the other hand you could say that Jarno had already shown flashes of brilliance after three years – Austria ’97 and Nuerbrurgring ’99 come to mind.

As for the comparison to Heidfeld, I also think I’d rate Nick higher, he’s more consistent and a better overtaker. I’d have loved to see what he could do in a McLaren, but thanks to a certain Mr Raikkonen, he never got the chance!

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James_mc said 2 years, 9 months ago:

Greetings,

Re:So let me get this straight…. Mercedes got rid of Kovalainen to ensure that Button would take the “Number 1″ away from the Mercedes works team
>>Pretty much. Mercedes wanted the no.1 on their car (before they bought brawn gp) so they had a discussion with RD. Which led to Button funding for the no.1 status.
RD is busy tryin 2 create the British Ferrari, making their own engine and race team (for the chasis). But before McLaren-Mercedes deal ends Mercedes wanted the glory, so it helped fund a move for Button.
Mercedes then needed an F1 vehicle for its brand, so it bought the best-at-the-time, Brawn GP off the shelf without the hassle of having to develop a works team.
It was decided NOT to renew Kovalainen for marketing reasons.
Hamilton is RD`s baby so his seat is safe.
The marketing powers occupied the 2nd seat with Button.
Kovalainen not want to become the new P.DelaRosa and be the 3rd driver – he wanted a race seat, so joined Lotus

I’m pretty sure that Mercedes GP was an entity before Button signed to McLaren – http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2009/11/18/jenson-button-confirmed-at-mclaren-for-2010/ would certainly indicate so

:-)

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Tom Hitchings said 2 years, 9 months ago:

Heikki was brilliant at Renault in 2007 – many people seemed to miss this. He was comfortably quicker than Fisichella, who was established in the team, and achieved great results with impressive consistency.

What’s more, he did pretty good at McLaren in 2008, it was only 2009 when he really slipped behind. But as a McLaren fan I was never unhappy with him and initially sceptical that Rosberg or Button would be a good replacement.

If I was a midfield team he would be one of the first drivers I looked at.

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James_mc said 2 years, 9 months ago:

Heikki was brilliant at Renault in 2007 – many people seemed to miss this. He was comfortably quicker than Fisichella, who was established in the team, and achieved great results with impressive consistency.

What’s more, he did pretty good at McLaren in 2008, it was only 2009 when he really slipped behind. But as a McLaren fan I was never unhappy with him and initially sceptical that Rosberg or Button would be a good replacement.

If I was a midfield team he would be one of the first drivers I looked at.

Interestingly enough, this is the first time that he is in a team having not replaced Alonso! I agree, he seriously ballsed up in ’09 which was a shame as he acquitted himself pretty well in ’08 despite sometimes being put on a “number two” fuel strategy…. (allegedly). Interestingly, he rates Hamilton as his best friend in F1.

I think he’s thriving at a young team such as Lotus and he’s doing well as he’s one of the last drivers to be able to test for a team. In terms of raw talent, I think that Heikki has loads, remember the first time most people heard of him was when he beat MSC in the Race of Champions (identical machinery etc etc)

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