FORUMula1.com

[Denthúl]

Just get Raikkonen or Kubica in.

[Gaz]

From F1 Live:

Heikki Kovalainen could retain his McLaren seat team principal Martin Whitmarsh claims. The British-based team has been contemplating a new team-mate for Lewis Hamilton, and in recent days the link with a return to McLaren for Kimi Raikkonen has strengthened.

Whitmarsh said in Japan that the current Ferrari driver is one option for 2010, but insisted that McLaren's current Finn is not yet out of the running.

"We are not waiting for Kimi," the Briton said. "There's a very good possibility that Heikki will be driving for the team again next year."

Hamilton, managed by his father Anthony, has suggested publicly on a number of occasions that he would like to keep Kovalainen as his team-mate.

Whitmarsh admitted there is a chance the Briton will still have the same team-mate at the start of next season, but only if Kovalainen can immediately up his game.

"I don't sense that we need to make a decision in the next week, two weeks, three weeks, even beyond that," he said.

"I think the right and courteous thing to our current drivers is to support them and see if we do a good job and get some results in these last few races."

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

Well, we all know why Hamilton and his father would like to keep Kovalainen at McLaren, but this absolutely never be allowed to happen, and the team had better not fall for any of the Hamiltons' nonesense.

I mentioned this issue earlier. hammie dont seem to want a teammate that cant be convinced or manipulated not to challenge him on the track. whether heiki is not performing or is suffering from retardation by the team is the question really.

This is NOTHING to do with Hamilton.

This will be because.

1. Hekki is still racing with Mclaren and if they were to announce Kimi it would be harsh on Hekki especially since they want to get 3rd in the constructors and need him to push.

2. perhaps they still believe Hekki can put those fast one laps together into a whole race.

3. They don't want to appear to eager for Raikkonen because it will give him more power in the bargaining table. Hes in demand hes wanted by a few teams and do Mclaren really want to say "We Really Really want Kimi" so he can demand what he wants.

[Frosty]

From F1 Live:

Heikki Kovalainen could retain his McLaren seat team principal Martin Whitmarsh claims. The British-based team has been contemplating a new team-mate for Lewis Hamilton, and in recent days the link with a return to McLaren for Kimi Raikkonen has strengthened.

Whitmarsh said in Japan that the current Ferrari driver is one option for 2010, but insisted that McLaren's current Finn is not yet out of the running.

"We are not waiting for Kimi," the Briton said. "There's a very good possibility that Heikki will be driving for the team again next year."

Hamilton, managed by his father Anthony, has suggested publicly on a number of occasions that he would like to keep Kovalainen as his team-mate.

Whitmarsh admitted there is a chance the Briton will still have the same team-mate at the start of next season, but only if Kovalainen can immediately up his game.

"I don't sense that we need to make a decision in the next week, two weeks, three weeks, even beyond that," he said.

"I think the right and courteous thing to our current drivers is to support them and see if we do a good job and get some results in these last few races."

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

Well, we all know why Hamilton and his father would like to keep Kovalainen at McLaren, but this absolutely never be allowed to happen, and the team had better not fall for any of the Hamiltons' nonesense.

HK has to go! If not McLaren will most likely loose out on more constructor titles! Screw the stuff about Captain-Invincible needing a team mate to panda to him he has grown up and should be able to handle the fact that he may have a competitive team mate if not the he needs to GTFO of McLaren. McLaren needs two top drivers not one and a driver who has race pace over a second slower!

[Tony_sa]

From F1 Live:

Heikki Kovalainen could retain his McLaren seat team principal Martin Whitmarsh claims. The British-based team has been contemplating a new team-mate for Lewis Hamilton, and in recent days the link with a return to McLaren for Kimi Raikkonen has strengthened.

Whitmarsh said in Japan that the current Ferrari driver is one option for 2010, but insisted that McLaren's current Finn is not yet out of the running.

"We are not waiting for Kimi," the Briton said. "There's a very good possibility that Heikki will be driving for the team again next year."

Hamilton, managed by his father Anthony, has suggested publicly on a number of occasions that he would like to keep Kovalainen as his team-mate.

Whitmarsh admitted there is a chance the Briton will still have the same team-mate at the start of next season, but only if Kovalainen can immediately up his game.

"I don't sense that we need to make a decision in the next week, two weeks, three weeks, even beyond that," he said.

"I think the right and courteous thing to our current drivers is to support them and see if we do a good job and get some results in these last few races."

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

Well, we all know why Hamilton and his father would like to keep Kovalainen at McLaren, but this absolutely never be allowed to happen, and the team had better not fall for any of the Hamiltons' nonesense.

HK has to go! If not McLaren will most likely loose out on more constructor titles! Screw the stuff about Captain-Invincible needing a team mate to panda to him he has grown up and should be able to handle the fact that he may have a competitive team mate if not the he needs to GTFO of McLaren. McLaren needs two top drivers not one and a driver who has race pace over a second slower!

my point as well. heiki's defence is his car not performing same like sister car and always heavier on fuel. so whats mclarens excuse ??

[Amanda]

I mentioned this issue earlier. hammie dont seem to want a teammate that cant be convinced or manipulated not to challenge him on the track. whether heiki is not performing or is suffering from retardation by the team is the question really.

I don't think it's entirely that Hamilton doesn't want to be challenged, he's simply stated that he'd like to keep Heikki in the other McLaren. They seem to get along well together, something which must be nice after the debcale of 2007. Although I'll admit that it's probably an advantage to him that Kovi isn't very fast, it's also a massive hinderace in terms of the constructors championship. If I was in Hamilton's position then I'd support Kovalainen too but realistically McLaren need a faster, more reliable driver next year.

[Tony_sa]

I mentioned this issue earlier. hammie dont seem to want a teammate that cant be convinced or manipulated not to challenge him on the track. whether heiki is not performing or is suffering from retardation by the team is the question really.

I don't think it's entirely that Hamilton doesn't want to be challenged, he's simply stated that he'd like to keep Heikki in the other McLaren. They seem to get along well together, something which must be nice after the debcale of 2007. Although I'll admit that it's probably an advantage to him that Kovi isn't very fast, it's also a massive hinderace in terms of the constructors championship. If I was in Hamilton's position then I'd support Kovalainen too but realistically McLaren need a faster, more reliable driver next year.

that spot will suit kimi nicely. kimi will have a point to prove to ferrari as well and drive that MF's wheels off to win races i think. ... that kind of driving is not going to work with hamilton and thats why in my mind he would like them to keep heiki

[Gaz]

I mentioned this issue earlier. hammie dont seem to want a teammate that cant be convinced or manipulated not to challenge him on the track. whether heiki is not performing or is suffering from retardation by the team is the question really.

I don't think it's entirely that Hamilton doesn't want to be challenged, he's simply stated that he'd like to keep Heikki in the other McLaren. They seem to get along well together, something which must be nice after the debcale of 2007. Although I'll admit that it's probably an advantage to him that Kovi isn't very fast, it's also a massive hinderace in terms of the constructors championship. If I was in Hamilton's position then I'd support Kovalainen too but realistically McLaren need a faster, more reliable driver next year.

that spot will suit kimi nicely. kimi will have a point to prove to ferrari as well and drive that MF's wheels off to win races i think. ... that kind of driving is not going to work with hamilton and thats why in my mind he would like them to keep heiki

I disagree Hamilton Rose to the challenge Alonso posed and was beating him within 3 races as a rookie.

But like you say Hekki has been slowed down by Mclaren they will prob do the same to Kimi.

[SingaporeSling]

I disagree Hamilton Rose to the challenge Alonso posed and was beating him within 3 races as a rookie.

But like you say Hekki has been slowed down by Mclaren they will prob do the same to Kimi.

Don't you think that Kimi is still a bit more experienced and wouldnt' be screwed so easily. I think it would be a bit more difficult to slow him down and ask him to drive a strategy that doesn't give him chances to win. Plus it wouldn't make sense to pay for Kimi the salary he'd be asking if you just want a supporting driver for Lewis. I doubt Mac has that much loose cash around.

[EwanM]

Of course Hamilton wants to keep Kovalainen. Lewis is always going to be able to be top dog in the team as long as the majority of sponsors are aligned to his image and as long as he doesn't have a team mate capable of beating him.

Hamilton won't like the silent assassin next year.

Kovalainen is low maintainence for Hamilton.

[Zack]

Of course Hamilton wants to keep Kovalainen. Lewis is always going to be able to be top dog in the team as long as the majority of sponsors are aligned to his image and as long as he doesn't have a team mate capable of beating him.

Hamilton won't like the silent assassin next year.

Kovalainen is low maintainence for Hamilton.

With Ron Dennis gone it will be difficult for Hamilton ..to pick or even suggest his choice. It seems now Haug i.e. Mercedes are pushing for Rosberg while Whitemarsh wants Kimi back ..,,,.,,.,

[EwanM]

Of course Hamilton wants to keep Kovalainen. Lewis is always going to be able to be top dog in the team as long as the majority of sponsors are aligned to his image and as long as he doesn't have a team mate capable of beating him.

Hamilton won't like the silent assassin next year.

Kovalainen is low maintainence for Hamilton.

With Ron Dennis gone it will be difficult for Hamilton ..to pick or even suggest his choice. It seems now Haug i.e. Mercedes are pushing for Rosberg while Whitemarsh wants Kimi back ..,,,.,,.,

I think Rosberg is going to Brawn, because Merc have given up on trying to have an influence with McMacca

[Frosty]

Of course Hamilton wants to keep Kovalainen. Lewis is always going to be able to be top dog in the team as long as the majority of sponsors are aligned to his image and as long as he doesn't have a team mate capable of beating him.

Hamilton won't like the silent assassin next year.

Kovalainen is low maintainence for Hamilton.

With Ron Dennis gone it will be difficult for Hamilton ..to pick or even suggest his choice. It seems now Haug i.e. Mercedes are pushing for Rosberg while Whitemarsh wants Kimi back ..,,,.,,.,

I think Rosberg is going to Brawn, because Merc have given up on trying to have an influence with McMacca

[Zack]

Of course Hamilton wants to keep Kovalainen. Lewis is always going to be able to be top dog in the team as long as the majority of sponsors are aligned to his image and as long as he doesn't have a team mate capable of beating him.

Hamilton won't like the silent assassin next year.

Kovalainen is low maintainence for Hamilton.

With Ron Dennis gone it will be difficult for Hamilton ..to pick or even suggest his choice. It seems now Haug i.e. Mercedes are pushing for Rosberg while Whitemarsh wants Kimi back ..,,,.,,.,

I think Rosberg is going to Brawn, because Merc have given up on trying to have an influence with McMacca

Sutil .. ? Good option. Mclaren can get assessment data from Force India(Technical partner)

[Tony_sa]

Of course Hamilton wants to keep Kovalainen. Lewis is always going to be able to be top dog in the team as long as the majority of sponsors are aligned to his image and as long as he doesn't have a team mate capable of beating him.

Hamilton won't like the silent assassin next year.

Kovalainen is low maintainence for Hamilton.

nice way of putting it Ewman !!

[headless]

Whatever anyone says, it is clearly undeniable that McLaren is basically Team Hamilton.
No?
Who saw Ant Hamilton today unable to hold an umbrella propeley!!
Someone else had to do it, when Hammy (the driver) was being interviewed.

YOUR FIRED!