Formula One news

Alonso expects McLaren to stick with Kovalainen

According to former McLaren driver Fernando Alonso the team will probably keep its driver Heikki Kovalainen for years if the Finn is willing to play second driver alongside Lewis Hamilton. Kovalainen joined the team at the start of this season and the team confirmed he will race for McLaren for another season in 2009.

Renault F1 driver Fernando Alonso told Spanish TV station Telecinco: "McLaren will most definitely keep Kovalainen if he continues to work for the team the way he has been doing."

Alonso believes Kovalainen is clearly playing the role of second driver at McLaren. "Everyone saw that he (Kovalainen) had to let his team mate get past him at Hockenheim. I even can't think of a race this season where he had a better race strategy than Lewis (Hamilton)," Alonso said. "I would never want to play such a role. I would rather finish fifth or sixth with a Renault than fourth or fifth with McLaren."

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• 06 Sep.
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  • Alonso sets Renault up in sixth
  • Heidfeld leads BMW qualifying charge
  • Force India happy with pace
  • Worst qualifying for Toyota
  • Webber gives Red Bull hope
  • Williams struggles in qualifying
  • Dismal day sees both Hondas out in Q1
  • Both Toro Rossos back in top ten
  • Hamilton gushing with confidence on pole
  • Massa's perfect lap not enough
  • Kovalainen lost out in middle sector
  • Hamilton storms to Belgian pole
  • Spa-Francorchamps to rename Stavelot corner
  • Heidfeld tops final practice session
  • Photos: Saturday at Spa-Francorchamps
  • Donington Park submit first phase plans
• 05 Sep.
  • McLaren pleased with first day
  • Raikkonen crash hinders Ferrari preparations
  • Renault lifted by Alonso's pace
  • BMWs struggle on Friday
  • Toyota looking for more pace
  • Force India happy with practice
  • Toro Rossos going well at Spa
  • New parts working well for Williams
  • Honda struggling at Spa
  • Mixed day for Red Bull
  • Alonso tops second practice
  • McLaren to open office in US
  • Massa tops first free practice at Spa
  • Photos: Friday at Spa-Francorchamps
  • Vettel to test Red Bull this month
• 04 Sep.
  • Massa eyes up vital six final races
  • Raikkonen hopes for dry weekend
  • Photos: Thursday at Spa-Francorchamps
  • Coulthard: The engines make the difference
• 03 Sep.
  • Bridgestone going hard on Spa

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