Kovalainen prefers Magny-Cours over Castellet

This weekend, F1 returns to Europe after four distant Grand Prix races, what is your assessment of the start of the championship?

« I don’t think the start of the season has been very good for us. In Melbourne we had technical problems with both cars, in Malaysia and China I made a mistake, and in Bahrain I had a puncture so we haven’t been able to put everything together properly yet. In Bahrain it was better, we were happy with the car all weekend, the qualifications went well and in the race the performance was solid before the puncture so I believe we are going in the right direction but we need a weekend without problems. »

What is the main weakness of the car? What should be improved as a priority?

« Aerodynamic performance is key; we must primarily work in this area. In Bahrain, we were a bit lucky to be in Q2 because Michael [Schumacher] had a problem. Without that, our pace wasn’t sufficient, but we are working to resolve the issues. I don’t know how long it will take. »

The week during the Mugello tests, you tried different new parts, including new exhaust outlets. Do these new features bring any benefits?

« We mainly had new features at the rear of the car, including a new floor and different exhausts, but they didn’t work. They didn’t bring the desired improvement, so we have practically the same car as in Bahrain here. We have a new rear wing that provides more downforce, but we don’t have the new exhausts here. »

It was the first private testing during the season since 2008, do you think this kind of session is useful?

« Yes, I think so. It allowed us to try new things and for the drivers, it helps to stay focused. It’s a high-speed circuit, I enjoyed it. I think the circuit is fantastic.

So you do not agree with Vitaly Petrov who stated that the circuit was too dangerous?

«For me, F1 is dangerous. When we go to Monaco, there’s nothing more dangerous than that. But I have no issues with it; I’m prepared to take risks. I don’t think F1 is too safe. You know, I hope we don’t end up only on modern circuits one day; I really like the old tracks. Obviously, we can make these tracks safer, but that’s not really the problem. »

Would you like Mugello to host a Grand Prix?

« Yes, that would be fantastic. »

What is your favorite route?

« I love going to Suzuka in Japan, it’s a fast circuit and the atmosphere there is fantastic, the Japanese fans are special. So Suzuka is probably one of my favorite circuits. »

There is much talk about the return of the French Grand Prix alternating with Spa-Francorchamps. What would you prefer, having France and Belgium every other year or going to Spa every year?

« I like both circuits, I think Magny-Cours isn’t bad… Is it planned at Magny-Cours or somewhere else? »

It should be done at Paul-Ricard.

« (He grimaces) Oh, Paul Ricard…, I’m not really a fan so I would prefer to go to Spa-Francorchamps every year. »

It’s very tight in the pack this season between Sauber, Force India, Toro Rosso, and Williams. Do you think you will still be able to achieve your goals by scoring your first points with Caterham?

« For the moment, no it’s not possible, but if we make progress it is possible. Everything will depend on the level of our progress. Everyone will improve so we will have to do better than the others. »

From Bahrain, there’s a lot of talk about Pirelli tires. Michael Schumacher complained that they needed too much care and that drivers couldn’t push as hard as they used to. What is your opinion?

« I have no issue managing the tires, I attack hard all the time. That’s his opinion, everyone has their own and everyone has the right to say what they want. For me, they (Pirelli) do a good job. Maybe last year some compounds weren’t good because of their inexperience, and sometimes certain types of tires didn’t work so we only had one compound that was good. But this year I think it’s OK and we have different strategies, two or three stops. »

If you could go back in time to drive an old single-seater, which one would you choose and why?

« I will go back to last year to drive the Red Bull (laugh). It was a great car. I’m not particularly interested in history. I’ve driven old cars, Lotuses, the 77 and the 72, but it didn’t give me anything special. This year, I think the Lotus is good, it’s very fast. I think all the top teams have a good car, McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, but if I had to choose, I would take the Lotus. »

Who was your best teammate in Formula 1?

« I’ve always had good teammates. Jarno was very fast at times, particularly in qualifying, Lewis is a great driver. He wasn’t really a teammate since I was the third driver, but Fernando Alonso was very good, I learned a lot from him. He is capable of extracting the best from the car, and even if the car is not perfect, he will do his utmost.

This season, you are sponsored by the game Angry Birds, do you play it and what is your best score?

Yesterday on the plane to Barcelona I finished Angry Birds Space with three stars on each level.

From our journalist in Barcelona