Formula One news

Kovalainen determined to bounce back

Heikki Kovalainen is determined to bounce back after he failed to convert a dominant pole at the British Grand Prix into anything more than fifth place.

"In the dry at Silverstone I couldn't believe how good the car felt and just how much I could keep pushing it," Kovalainen said. "It felt better than ever. But the race showed I can still do more to improve - both in terms of my driving style and the way the team works with me. I know I have the speed, I just need to work harder to apply it across the whole race weekend."

"Our car's real strengths are in high-speed corners and under braking," he added. "Hockenheim is more of a technical, medium-speed circuit so I wouldn't expect us to have any particular advantage - but the car does feel very good here. It has a similar downforce level to Magny-Cours, where we weren't really able to show our true potential, so it will be interesting to see where we sit in comparison to our rivals."

McLaren tried a new shark fin engine cover during this week's test at Hockenheim. "The new top body engine cover has been designed to improve aero performance, particularly through high-speed corners - and we feel it had an advantage during the Hockenheim test," Kovalainen added. "But it's still too early to say; maybe Hockenheim is not the best place to try this new wing and we need to see if it is affected by crosswinds - it was quite windy at the Hockenheim test, but we didn't seem to be too affected by the wind. It's definitely encouraging for the future."

more news

• 11 Oct.
  • Honda to announce 2009 driver line-up after the season
  • Ferrari faces uphill battle
  • Williams struggles in qualifying
  • Another double top ten for Toro Rosso
  • McLaren delighted with qualifying
  • Back row again for Force India
  • BMW hopes rest with Kubica
  • Alonso keeps Renault competitive
  • Honda continues to struggle at Fuji
  • Photos: Saturday at Fuji
  • Mixed result at Red Bull Racing
  • Toyota team make it into top ten
  • Massa laments lack of grip
  • Hamilton happy on pole
  • Hamilton takes Japanese pole
  • Kubica on top in wet free practice
• 10 Oct.
  • Bridgestone expects grip to improve during the weekend
  • Buemi to steer medical car
  • Trouble-free day for McLaren
  • Positive day for Toro Rosso
  • Webber gives Red Bull hope
  • Mixed Friday for BMW
  • Force India upbeat after practice
  • Honda looking for more pace
  • Ferrari happy with Friday progress
  • Government will try and safe Canadian Grand Prix
  • Strong start for Toyota at home track
  • Renault shows encouraging pace at Fuji
  • Nakajima enjoys first day at Fuji Speedway
  • Glock fastest on Friday
  • Photos: Friday at Fuji
  • Hamilton leads first practice in Japan
  • Nakajima pleased with his first F1 season so far
  • Barrichello's advise to Senna: Do not join Honda!
• 09 Oct.
  • Massa focused ahead of vital race weekend
  • Raikkonen hoping for better
  • Button still waiting for Honda's driver decision
  • Canadian GP dropped due to a 'commercial disagreement'
  • New engine for Glock
  • F1 drivers: It's a shame to see Canada go

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