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[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Kovalainen still unsure about future

By Pablo Elizalde Friday, November 16th 2007, 11:21 GMT

Heikki Kovalainen at BarcelonaHeikki Kovalainen has admitted he is still unsure about his plans for next season, but the Finn says he just wants to be in a competitive car.

Kovalainen, who made his Grand Prix debut with Renault this season, is yet to be confirmed at the French squad, and he has been linked with the second seat at the McLaren team following the exit of Fernando Alonso.

"I am not confirmed (at Renault)," Kovalainen told reporters after testing at Barcelona. "I do not have contracts with anyone, and I have different options (from Renault). I think Renault potentially is a strong team.

"I hope I can stay but we will see, as there are other options which are interesting. You just don't know who is going to be strong next year. It could be anyone, that is why it takes a bit of time."

He added: "I think I am in a very good position with the team. They know me and they know the potential from this season. I can do a good job for the team but obviously Fernando is still a free agent, I believe.

"I think any team would love to have Fernando. I believe Renault is trying to get him back to the team , and we need to see whether I drive the other car or it's someone else. You know we have not decided yet, so we really don't know."

Renault team boss Flavio Briatore revealed he had already made an offer to Alonso to return to the team next season, and the Spaniard is widely expected to rejoin the French squad.

Kovalainen, however, has made it clear that if he stays at Renault he will want equal status to his teammate from the start of the season.

"I want to be in a competitive car to be able to fight for victories and the championship, wherever that is," he added.

"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 know this.

"I made it very clear to Renault. The thing is when I go to Melbourne I want to know I can fight for the championship. It is okay 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 for me."

We are all well aware of Kovalainen's position at the moment, but the interesting question is whether or not the parts of the article in bold type will be a problem for Alonso? I think what Kovalainen says is fair enough: He wants his chance to shine and would be prepared to help if need be should he be out or quite far behind in the championship battle.

[darwin dali]

Good luck Heiki, you'll need it! The odds are very much against you: Renault is ready to cough up BIG bucks for a double WDC, so you do the math Heiki. Also, recently Renault's Pat Symonds publicly declared that he thinks a team that wants to win the drivers' title, must have a clear number one. Heiki, guess who's going to be number two - no, Heiki, guess again...

[MrReasonable]

Yeah, hey Kovvie, wanna be #2 at Renault or Mclaren? Or I guess theres a Force India seat open if you've really got your heart set on #1 status.

[8-ball]

he sure as hell won't be #1 at Renault if Alonso comes back if he goes to Mclaren then he will have equal treatment as it would be totally hypocritical to favour hamilton

[f1ea]

it would be totally hypocritical to favour hamilton

It would be totally hypocritical to keep the farse about 100% driver equality in any F1 team. They may both have the exact same car, even the same set-up. But there will always be some tilt towards one of the 2 drivers.

[bud]

it would be totally hypocritical to favour hamilton

It would be totally hypocritical to keep the farse about 100% driver equality in any F1 team. They may both have the exact same car, even the same set-up. But there will always be some tilt towards one of the 2 drivers.

theyre only human

[8-ball]

it would be totally hypocritical to favour hamilton

It would be totally hypocritical to keep the farse about 100% driver equality in any F1 team. They may both have the exact same car, even the same set-up. But there will always be some tilt towards one of the 2 drivers.

theyre only human

they also should be professional. if they say they're equal then it should be

[bud]

F1 teams are professional about things, im sure they all give both their cars the exact same quality to detail as the next but people have relationships with one another and if one driver is well liked among a team over the next then deep down in the back of their subconscious.

but even in those cases atleast both drivers can win even if one is more liked in the team, id rather be in that team than be a set number 2, whats the point of racing if you cant even have the dream of one day winning the title!?

[darwin dali]

Water carriers have their important roles (see, e.g., bicycling). It also doesn't mean you can't progress to number one status if you're really good.

[texasmr2]

I like and agree with this quote the most:
"I made it very clear to Renault. The thing is when I go to Melbourne I want to know I can fight for the championship. It is okay if the other driver is stronger at the end of the season and if I need to help, then it is fine".

He's just saying "give me an equal opportunity to prove my skilll's that's all I want".

[McLaren Fan]

I like and agree with this quote the most:
"I made it very clear to Renault. The thing is when I go to Melbourne I want to know I can fight for the championship. It is okay if the other driver is stronger at the end of the season and if I need to help, then it is fine".

He's just saying "give me an equal opportunity to prove my skilll's that's all I want".

Slightly hypocritical coming from a vociferous fan of Schumacher who gave none of his teammates that chance.

[texasmr2]

I support MS I never said I supported some of his action's and really I can care less about the politic's as I want to see on-track result's. And sense I'm not in the 'inner circle' overhearing all the discussion's made within the team to me it's all just speculation.

[McLaren Fan]

I support MS I never said I supported some of his action's and really I can care less about the politic's as I want to see on-track result's. And sense I'm not in the 'inner circle' overhearing all the discussion's made within the team to me it's all just speculation.

On-track results and Ferrari. Hmm. As for the last part, reminds me of Pontius Pilate washing his hands of Jesus' crucifixion and somebody in denial about Ferrari's methods.

[texasmr2]

The only thing I care about is the result's and what the record book's show. I dont care to get into all the debating, that's just me.

[McLaren Fan]

The only thing I care about is the result's and what the record book's show. I dont care to get into all the debating, that's just me.

Great attitude. You can then pretend Schumacher was really over twice as good a driver as Senna because he has more than twice the number of titles, Grand Prix wins etc. and virtually four times better than Hakkinen with two titles versus seven and twenty victories versus ninety one.