Just three races into his career as a McLaren-Mercedes driver, and Heikki Kovalainen is level on points with team-mate Lewis Hamilton – after taking his second fastest lap in three races in the Bahrain Grand Prix at the weekend.
Whilst Hamilton's season to-date has been a story of highs and lows – from the joy of victory in the Melbourne curtain-raiser to the agony of crashing into the back of ex team-mate Fernando Alonso and trailing home 13th in Sakhir – Kovalainen has been the model of consistency, finishing each of the races inside the top five to lie equal third in the drivers' standings. Indeed, had he not been deprived of a podium finish Down Under when the safety car came out at the worst possible time for him, he would be just one point off the championship lead right now.
“Quite a tough race,” the Finn reflected phlegmatically of his desert adventure – one that saw him take the chequered flag fifth, almost half a minute adrift of the two Ferraris. “I made a great start and overtook Kimi [Raikkonen] coming into turn two, but then I out-braked myself in turn four and he regained his position.
“I then went in too deep in turn eight and flat-spotted my front right tyre which caused a lot of vibration. It vibrated so much that I was worried something would fall off the car. Things improved in the second stint, and the car worked really well towards the end when we changed to the prime tyre.
“Fifth was the maximum I could do today. However, we still scored points on a difficult day, and that is the main thing. I have total commitment to the team and a good car, and I know we will keep working hard to improve for the start of the European races.”
Team principal Ron Dennis acknowledged his young charge's troubles during the race, but remained confident of battling back once Formula 1 circus resumes once more in Spain in three weeks' time – even if McLaren has slipped down from first to third in the constructors' table following its Sakhir struggle.
“Heikki's race was hampered by understeer,” the 60-year-old stated, “which we systematically dialled out to a level which allowed him to set the fastest lap during the closing stages of the race. We will continue to work hard in Woking, Brixworth and Stuttgart to make sure we are well-prepared for the start of the European races.”
“Heikki had a reasonable speed only towards the end of the race,” added Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice-President Norbert Haug, summarising it as ‘a day to forget'. “The only positive point is that the top five in the drivers' championship are within five points and the top three in the constructors' ranking within two points.
“Congratulations to Ferrari on the first one-two victory and to BMW Sauber on their lead in the championship. We will now focus on the start of the European season in Barcelona in three weeks' time and will increase our efforts to be up front there.”
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Whilst Hamilton's season to-date has been a story of highs and lows – from the joy of victory in the Melbourne curtain-raiser to the agony of crashing into the back of ex team-mate Fernando Alonso and trailing home 13th in Sakhir – Kovalainen has been the model of consistency, finishing each of the races inside the top five to lie equal third in the drivers' standings. Indeed, had he not been deprived of a podium finish Down Under when the safety car came out at the worst possible time for him, he would be just one point off the championship lead right now.
“Quite a tough race,” the Finn reflected phlegmatically of his desert adventure – one that saw him take the chequered flag fifth, almost half a minute adrift of the two Ferraris. “I made a great start and overtook Kimi [Raikkonen] coming into turn two, but then I out-braked myself in turn four and he regained his position.
“I then went in too deep in turn eight and flat-spotted my front right tyre which caused a lot of vibration. It vibrated so much that I was worried something would fall off the car. Things improved in the second stint, and the car worked really well towards the end when we changed to the prime tyre.
“Fifth was the maximum I could do today. However, we still scored points on a difficult day, and that is the main thing. I have total commitment to the team and a good car, and I know we will keep working hard to improve for the start of the European races.”
Team principal Ron Dennis acknowledged his young charge's troubles during the race, but remained confident of battling back once Formula 1 circus resumes once more in Spain in three weeks' time – even if McLaren has slipped down from first to third in the constructors' table following its Sakhir struggle.
“Heikki's race was hampered by understeer,” the 60-year-old stated, “which we systematically dialled out to a level which allowed him to set the fastest lap during the closing stages of the race. We will continue to work hard in Woking, Brixworth and Stuttgart to make sure we are well-prepared for the start of the European races.”
“Heikki had a reasonable speed only towards the end of the race,” added Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice-President Norbert Haug, summarising it as ‘a day to forget'. “The only positive point is that the top five in the drivers' championship are within five points and the top three in the constructors' ranking within two points.
“Congratulations to Ferrari on the first one-two victory and to BMW Sauber on their lead in the championship. We will now focus on the start of the European season in Barcelona in three weeks' time and will increase our efforts to be up front there.”
crash.net