F1: Burden On Kovalainen To Perform

Formula 1

F1: Burden On Kovalainen To Perform

Heikki Kovalainen will need to prove he belongs in the McLaren alongside reigning Champ Lewis Hamilton beyond 2009...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted June 11, 2009 GMM Newswire

Heikki Kovalainen has been accused of making errors at crucial moments, such as within sight of a rare points finish during the Monaco GP. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

It is up to Heikki Kovalainen to prove he belongs in the McLaren alongside Lewis Hamilton beyond 2009.

That is the message given by Norbert Haug, competition chief of the British team's engine partner Mercedes-Benz.

The German has recently been hinting at a change for next year, coinciding with speculation that Williams' Nico Rosberg is a prime candidate.

When asked by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport about 27-year-old Kovalainen's seat, Haug answered: "Formula One is a hard competition.

"Heikki knows that it is all about performance. We are looking at each race finish and at each tenth," he said.

It is understood that no firm decisions about the future have yet been taken.

On form so far, Kovalainen is usually outpaced by the sister car driven by Hamilton, and he is often accused of making errors at crucial moments, such as within sight of a rare points finish at Monaco.

Haug however said it is too early in the season to be seriously discussing drivers.

"We are concentrating only on making the car faster," he added. "That is the biggest problem."

Play Super 7 Sweep Fantasy Racing powered by Wind Tunnel!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SPEED Staff / GMM

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR

F1: Grand Prix News Briefs
Williams co-owner Toto Wolff has denied reports that Bruno Senna…
F1: FIA Had To Disqualify Hamilton In Spain, Asserts Whiting
FIA race official Charlie Whiting says the F1 governing body had…
F1: Williams Denies Cigarette Caused Barcelona Blaze
Williams' team manager denies a rumor that the Barcelona garage fire…