Kovalainen convinced of driver equality

Heikki Kovalainen, who joined the McLaren Mercedes Team last week, insists that he will not play second fiddle to Lewis Hamilton next season. Kovalainen replaces Fernando Alonso who had a very difficult relationship with Hamilton.

Heikki Kovalainen said: “I want to be in a competitive car to be able to fight for victories and the championship, wherever that is. It does not matter as long as it is competitive and I have equal status with my teammate. I am not willing to support anyone from the beginning of the season, everyone knows this.

"It is OK if the other driver is stronger at the end of the season and if I need to help, then it is fine. But I need to be able to start the season fair and square and with equal treatment and that is very important to me.”

Although Kovalainen is convinced of the driver equality at McLaren, Martin Whithmarsh earlier declared that the main target next season will be to make Lewis Hamilton World Champion and so it seems that the talented young Finn will play second fiddle after all.