Who will be Alonso's replacement at McLaren ? Kovalainen

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 7:12 pm

What I cannot understand is this 1 year deal so that he can join Ferrari in 2009!!

Why ? Ferrari have contracts with both Raikkonen and Massa beyond next year, if Ferrari want to do this they will have to break one of the contracts so if they are going to do that anyway why not break it this year ? and why did they sign Massa for 3 years!!!

Why isn't it that Alonso wants a 1 year to see how things work in the team and how good the car is then he can decide. Perhaps it is too hard for some to admit that things are in Alonso's hands rather than the teams.

I hope Alonso never drives for Ferrari. He is too clean for them

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 8:22 am

This is merely a musing on my part, and not as much as an inference.
The last two teams Alonso has driven for are embriolled in spy sagas.
I wonder how clean he is?

three-m · Post by **three-m** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 4:50 am

jido wrote:
Julian Mayo wrote:Fisi's kit was collected from Renault two weeks ago. He will be replaced by the young Brazilian
Piquet Jr?

Oh well...

yes indeed piquet jr. will have a race drive for flavio in '08
3m

three-m · Post by **three-m** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:44 am

three-m wrote:being that Nakajima just confirmed for 2008 and Sir Frank and Nico appearing to be on the same page there is no way Flavio is going to let "Mok Webb-ah" head over to Ron's camp. Being that Heikkei and Ficsi will both be gone since Flavio will have Piquet teamed up w/ Alonzo next year that would put Vettle in the lead for the Mclaren drive in my opinion.

That leaves Fisci out i am thinking he and Jarno will be the Italian duo...think about it it make's sense...
3m

yes i know i am quoting myself here but just to illustrate my accuracies and shortcoming's...so i was 1/2 right with this one

now Fisci might just be riding around the paddock on a scooter...watchin glock in a toyota and heikkei in a mclaren

3m

Ed · Post by Ed » Sat Dec 15, 2007 4:45 am

McLaren confirmed Heikki Kovalainen as their second driver for 2008.

The statement read:

HEIKKI KOVALAINEN JOINS VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES 2008 DRIVER LINE-UP

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is pleased to confirm that Finn Heikki Kovalainen will team up with Formula 1 World Championship runner-up Lewis Hamilton for the 2008 season. Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa will remain the third driver and an integral part of the team, whilst Gary Paffett will assist Pedro with the testing programme when required.

"We had a number of options open to us and as always we want to make sure that we have the most competitive driver line-up and I think that Lewis and Heikki will be a formidable combination," said Martin Whitmarsh. "Both enjoyed great rookie seasons in 2007 and share a genuine passion for winning and being the best. Heikki made a strong impression and Lewis’ performance so far has been outstanding and speaks for itself. I am confident that they will push each other on track and work well together off track. In addition with Pedro remaining our primary test driver alongside Gary, we really have a strong package and look forward to 2008."

Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport commented "Heikki is a talented driver who showed his skills during his debut season in Formula 1 this year. Heikki’s most impressive performance was at the Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji where he finished second behind Lewis in extremely treacherous wet conditions. He is not only a quick driver but also one of the most consistent having finished in every Grand Prix except the last which puts him in the top five together with our drivers who covered most laps in 2007. Everybody in the team is looking forward to a very fruitful co-operation. Lewis and Heikki will form one of the youngest driver line-ups, and I am convinced that both will be very strong and at the same time co-operative competitors."

26-year-old Heikki, who made his Formula 1 race debut last year with Renault, joins the team on a long-term contract and will commence his on-track programme in early January.

"I am so excited to join a team like Vodafone McLaren Mercedes," said Heikki. "So far I have been blown away by the dedication and commitment to winning which is clear through the entire organisation and I am really excited about our joint future. As a Finn it’s an honour for me to follow in Mika and Kimi’s footsteps. I haven’t really spent a lot of time with Lewis so far but from what I know I think we will work well together and do our best for the team."

Lewis who enjoyed the most successful rookie season in the history of the Formula 1 World Championship with consecutive podiums in his first nine races is looking forward to the 2008 season.

"As soon as the chequered flag went in Brazil I began to count down the days until Australia," said Lewis. "I am really looking forward to 2008 and working with Heikki as my team mate. Together with the team we will do everything we can to ensure that our Championship challenge is as strong and focused as possible. My first year in Formula 1 was incredible and I was so fortunate to spend it with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and I hope that Heikki will enjoy his first year with the team as much as I did mine."

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 is scheduled to commence its on-track testing programme at an exclusive test at the Jerez circuit in Spain during the second week of January 2008. There are currently no plans for a launch presentation but the team will provide the media with photographs and further details about the car when it runs.

Southernman · Post by **Southernman** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:18 am

This should be a good combination if managed correctly. I'm not taking too much notice of what the drivers are saying about working together as they are only saying what they should be publicly saying at this stage.

I do hope that the off track dramas don't effect McLaren too much next year.

Snowy · Post by **Snowy** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 9:25 pm

Southernman wrote: I do hope that the off track dramas don't effect McLaren too much next year.

Three areas of the 2008 car that McLaren were developing have to cease, (the car is due out in Jan or Feb). They also have to operate from the last slot in the pitlane which is quite often a hovel compared to what they are used to.

It will be a tough character building year, anyone in their right mind will not expect them to be at the sharp end, particularly at the beginning of the season. Of course I am not in my right mind and also have an unwavering faith in Lewis and an overt admiration of Heikki so I expect great things.

Redhead · Post by **Redhead** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:47 pm

I must not be in my right mind, because they had a very quick car last year and I dont see why it wont be this year, so I expect to see them at the sharp end.

I must be in my left mind

mlittle · Post by **mlittle** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:50 am

At the very least, won't it be interesting to see McLaren's reaction at every GP when they see they've got the very last spot in the paddock........?

It'll be an interesting year, though.......especially since they've already agreed IIRC to freeze development on certain aspects of their 2008 car, it means their drivers(Hamilton and Kovalainen) will have to put out even more effort to get the same results out of the car as Hamilton and Alonso did in 2007

jido · Post by **jido** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 12:03 pm

Interesting, interesting...

We will be watching you Heikki and Lewis

So McLaren did not chose a "second pilot", rather two top rookies. Will they manage that better than this year, we will see.

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:43 am

Redhead wrote:I must not be in my right mind, because they had a very quick car last year and I dont see why it wont be this year, so I expect to see them at the sharp end.

I must be in my left mind

I'm mindful of that

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Who will be Alonso's replacement at McLaren ? Kovalainen

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