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[cap-dude]

I got very bored and wrote all this out. Its a quali comparison between Kovalinen and Hamilton. Basically I started to see this trend a few weeks ago, and though I'd follow it up.

A lot of people have doubted Kovalinen, but honestly looking through this. He's been on average 2 or 3 laps heavier on fuel every weekend apart from Britain where he took pole position. I honestly just want to ask McLaren what they're playing at. Kovy's been given bad strategies every weekend by the looks of things, its no wonder hes not in the title hunt.

Despite this, he's bloody quick in quali. If Lewis and Hekki were on equal fuel loads each weekend, Kovy would have been ahead of Hamilton a lot this year.
(also, a lap of fuel is usually worth around 2 tenths) methinks anyway

Australia
Lewis - 16 laps - 1.26.714
Kovy - 22 laps - 1:27.079

Malaysia
Lewis - 19 laps - 1:36.709
Kovy - 20 laps - 1:36.613

Bahrain
Lewis - ?? laps - 1:33.292 (lewis hit the back of alonso and pitted early)
Kovy - 21 laps - 1:33.488

Spain
Lewis - 21 laps - 1:22.096
Kovy - 22 laps - 1:22.231

Turkey
Lewis - 16 laps - 1:27.923
Kovy - ?? laps - 1:27.808
(kovy was hit early on and received a puncture. But the fact Lewis was 3 stopping says enough)

Monaco
Lewis - ?? laps - 1:15.839 (lewis pitted on lap 6 due to a crash)
Kovy - 34 laps - 1:16.165 (probably less due the safety car)

Canada
*considering everyone dashed in on lap 19, we can't take much from this*
Lewis - 1:17.886
Kovy - 1:19.089

France
Lewis - 19 laps - 1:16.693
Kovy - 25 laps - 1:16.944

Britain
Lewis - 21 laps - 1:21.835
Kovy - 19 laps - 1:21.049

Germany
Lewis - 18 laps - 1:15.666
Kovy - 22 laps - 1:16.143

Hungary
Lewis - 19 laps - 1:20.899
Kovy - 21 laps - 1:21.140

Europe
Lewis - 17 laps - 1:39.199
Kovy - 20 laps - 1:39.937

Belgium
Lewis - 11 laps - 1:47.338
Kovy - 13 laps - 1:47.815

[welshie]

Very interesting that is. He is very fast over a single lap, now to just string it out to 70 laps!!

[Denthúl]

Very interesting that is. He is very fast over a single lap, now to just string it out to 70 laps!!

Unfortunately, that seems to be his only problem this season. I can't find an answer for it so far, though...

[Dardas]

It's all about conecting qual and race. So what if you are quick in qual if in race you are strugling.
I'm not a big fan of Hamilton but still he is much better than Kovi this year. Altough I would love to see it other way

[Denthúl]

It's all about conecting qual and race. So what if you are quick in qual if in race you are strugling.
I'm not a big fan of Hamilton but still he is much better than Kovi this year. Altough I would love to see it other way

Yeah. I mean there could be any number of reasons behind it, we're seeing a lot of good drivers have mediocre seasons, to be honest. I really can't wait for next year. All the guys doing badly could reverse everything quite easily

[McLaren Fan]

Kovalainen's speed has never been in doubt. His race pace, however, is a mess and has shown no signs of getting better, despite God-knows-how-much help from the engineers at the McLaren Technology Centre.

I would also dispute cap-dude's assertion that McLaren keep on giving Kovalainen s*** strategies. There are advantages and disadvantages to running lighter and heavier on fuel. Kovalainen and his engineer decide what they are going to do in the race. The only Grand Prix at which McLaren decides on two strategies for their drivers is at Monaco, whereby the quickest driver of the weekend is given the non-safety-car strategy and the slower driver is given the safety-car strategy. (One must, however, factor in the proviso that both cars can't pit at the same time, so somebody has to come in a lap earlier or a lap later than the other, so the team as a whole would discuss that.)

[digitaleye]

I honestly just want to ask McLaren what they're playing at. Kovy's been given bad strategies every weekend by the looks of things, its no wonder hes not in the title hunt.

Interesting stats. I think the truth is simple though, Kovy is the Noob and Hammy is the Vet (at least within the team). The Noob supports the Vet (the way Macca SHOULD HAVE run it last year with Hammy and Fred. Maybe next year they'll get to race each other, probably not though.

[racechick]

[f1maniac95]

Interesting stats hopefully they have a good battle next season.

[texasmr2]

I'm thinking/hoping that next season will be the year that Kovi truelly shine's. I like the guy and no matter what team he is with and I want to see him succeed.

[Ferrarista]

The potential is pretty huge, but he'll have some hard time to work his bottom out of Lewis's shadow.
I can imagine Kova will know some hard times next season with the new regulations, and some extra pressure with the world champion next to him...that's of course IF Hammy wins it. But anyway, it's a very fast driver, I'm just not convinced he 'll make it in a Mclaren ... just because Hamilton will always get nr1 status within the team ...

[texasmr2]

I agree on most of that and imho I do not think Keikki is as naturally gifted, concerning the connection between himself, the car and the track, as Lewis is. I do wish him the best though because he is fast, has a great demeanor and attitude and seem's to have alot of team support and that may verywell be the key to his future success.

[Hanwombat]

a thank-you

[texasmr2]

a thank-you

Shhhh nobody is supposed to know!!

[Hanwombat]

a thank-you

Shhhh nobody is supposed to know!!