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[EwanM]

From Autosport.com

By Jonathan Noble Thursday, July 31st 2008, 09:26 GMT


Heikki Kovalainen will remain alongside Lewis Hamilton at McLaren next year, his team confirmed to autosport.com in Hungary on Thursday.

The Finn joined the Woking-based at the start of this season and, although being quick in qualifying, bad luck has robbed him of several points-finishing positions.

He has taken just one podium finish, where he finished third in Malaysia, but secured his maiden pole position at the British Grand Prix.

It is understood that Kovalainen's contract with McLaren contained an option for his services next year and the team have ended speculation about his future by confirming he will remain there.

Although there is no official statement, McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh told autosport.com that Kovalainen would be continuing with the team.

"We welcomed Heikki on board at the start of the year," said Whitmarsh. "He is under contract to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, and will continue to race for us in the 2009 season."

[AKR]

That is great. Hopefully he will keep up his crap form and at least help Ferrari win the constructors title if Lewis is going to be a pain up the you know what and win the drivers title for McLaren.

[EwanM]

That is great. Hopefully he will keep up his crap form and at least help Ferrari win the constructors title if Lewis is going to be a pain up the you know what and win the drivers title for McLaren.

That's a shame you don't have the drivers capable for challenging for the drivers

Na i'm kidding.

Good job by Mclaren, he could be a revelation next year after settling. If he continues bad form into 2009... bad decision Do Ron Ron.

[AKR]

That's a shame you don't have the drivers capable for challenging for the drivers

You're right. Massa can't challenge Lewis Hamilton in the wet and Kimi has lost interest. I want Fernando Alonso. I want him at Ferrari bad. Apart from the fact that he is a fighter and great driver and that he thinks like Michael Schumacher in many ways, he is also Spanish.

[EwanM]

I want Fernando Alonso. I want him at Ferrari bad.

[kitchen]

That is great. Hopefully he will keep up his crap form and at least help Ferrari win the constructors title if Lewis is going to be a pain up the you know what and win the drivers title for McLaren.

That's a shame you don't have the drivers capable for challenging for the drivers

Na i'm kidding.

Good job by Mclaren, he could be a revelation next year after settling. If he continues bad form into 2009... bad decision Do Ron Ron.

If he has a bad 2009, which I don't think he will, VMM will go for a German driver.

[racechick]

That is great. Hopefully he will keep up his crap form and at least help Ferrari win the constructors title if Lewis is going to be a pain up the you know what and win the drivers title for McLaren.

That's a shame you don't have the drivers capable for challenging for the drivers

Na i'm kidding.

Good job by Mclaren, he could be a revelation next year after settling. If he continues bad form into 2009... bad decision Do Ron Ron.

If he has a bad 2009, which I don't think he will, VMM will go for a German driver.

Or Polish??

[McLaren Fan]

Hopefully this announcement take some pressure off Kovalainen. He knows now that no matter what happens this season, he will still be able to have another crack of the whip at a good team next season. Kovalainen has a history of taking his time settling down at new places, so let's hope his current form is only a symptom of this and that it will not take too much longer for him to show us what he's made off. He's clearly got the speed and the attitude; it's just a case of unlocking the goods. Kovalainen and McLaren are certainly putting a lot of effort into finding out why he's struggling in races.

[f1maniac95]

I think he will do a lot better next year as he would have properly settled into the team.

[bud]

Great news for Heikki now he can just concentrate on racing without looking over his shoulder

[racechick]

Thats really good news!! I think if heikki can get up to pace they will be a really strong pairing as they get on well. Heki takes longer to adapt to things and at the moment the McLaren is developing quickly so thats more to get to grips with.

[EwanM]

Thats really good news!! I think if heikki can get up to pace they will be a really strong pairing as they get on well. Heki takes longer to adapt to things and at the moment the McLaren is developing quickly so thats more to get to grips with.

Maybe he'll even start beating Hamilton.

[paulabear]

Thats really good news!! I think if heikki can get up to pace they will be a really strong pairing as they get on well. Heki takes longer to adapt to things and at the moment the McLaren is developing quickly so thats more to get to grips with.

Maybe he'll even start beating Hamilton.

This is fab news. but lets not get silly about this Ewman

[EwanM]

Thats really good news!! I think if heikki can get up to pace they will be a really strong pairing as they get on well. Heki takes longer to adapt to things and at the moment the McLaren is developing quickly so thats more to get to grips with.

Maybe he'll even start beating Hamilton.

This is fab news. but lets not get silly about this Ewman

Who said I was being silly. Would be a dream come true.

[racechick]

Thats really good news!! I think if heikki can get up to pace they will be a really strong pairing as they get on well. Heki takes longer to adapt to things and at the moment the McLaren is developing quickly so thats more to get to grips with.

Maybe he'll even start beating Hamilton.

This is fab news. but lets not get silly about this Ewman

Who said I was being silly. Would be a dream come true.

Er...No! Well not big time, but Im sure heikki will get wins