Kovalainen: McLaren will be up to the task

Heikki Kovalainen is confident in McLaren’s ability to perform well next year, even with the presence of two drivers less experienced than others.

The team based in Woking will have, in 2008, the two least experienced drivers on the grid, with Heikki Kovalainen and Lewis Hamilton, each having only one season in F1 under their belt.

But the Finn believes that their lack of experience is not a cause for concern for McLaren. The team also wanted to retain the services of test driver Pedro De La Rosa, who is no longer young!

Speaking to Autosport magazine, Kovalainen said: « I have a lot of testing experience having completed many kilometers with Renault. I will be able to help the team develop. Lewis is also present and if ever our relative inexperience becomes an issue, Pedro will be able to help us. »

He is one of the best test drivers in F1 and he is very fast. What we need to aim for at the moment is to arrive in Melbourne thinking we have done everything in our power to achieve the best possible results. This is the main objective for the winter.

Kovalainen has already started working at the McLaren factory. Getting to know the engineers and trying the team’s simulator, among other things.

And he knows very well that the team expects to achieve results in 2008, he wants to focus solely on his testing program scheduled for the winter.

« McLaren is the best team in F1 and will continue to be because they are happy to win races. That’s the goal and there is a lot of work on oneself to achieve it, » he added.

« But right now the most important thing is to get to know the team in order to build relationships that will allow me to be comfortable and then be able to fight for a good position. That’s what I need to focus on for the moment. »

« I don’t think about the races or the championship. It would simply be a waste of energy, » concluded the Finnish driver.