Kovalainen seeks change in quail-tactics

Heikki Kovalainen believes McLaren's approach to the 2008 season cost him race wins.

We reported recently that the Finn was seeking winter talks with the British team's bosses, after he usually went into the decisive 'Q3' phase of qualifying with a higher fuel load than team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Now, in a candid interview with the Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell, Kovalainen has confirmed that some behind-the-scenes goings-on during his first season with McLaren often made 'good results impossible'.

"Only once was I lighter than Lewis," said Kovalainen "and that was at Silverstone, where I was on the pole. In all the other qualifyings I was fuelled more heavily. I was often the heaviest guy in the top six or seven."

"Obviously this has an effect also in the race," he insisted, pointing out the compromise in track position, tyre wear, and time lost in traffic.

When rumours began gathering pace that Kovalainen's seemingly lacklustre performances this year might threaten his seat for 2009, the Finn said he had no doubt about his position.

"The team knew exactly what was taking place," he said. "If I had been at the front more often, then I would have won more frequently."

"So that's something we have to look at for the coming year," Kovalainen said.

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DREAMER
From flash_too, on Thu 4 Dec 8:28AM
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i agree with you Daniel...
McLaren is biases. It's because of LH.
i'm just sick about LH...
i'm no longer interested in formula one. it's because LH.
But last year Sebastian Vettel shows us something...
very good type of driver on and off road..
i think LH should learn sumthing from him..
grown up LH. and stop moaning...
and stop talking nonsense.
From Iman I, on Thu 4 Dec 12:15AM
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Equality at McLaren? This is their absolute rule is to have both racers in equal cars and see how is the best, right? Well at least that is what RD says!
Well, I guess Fernando Alonso was right after all wasn't he? He should have had his third title last year if he was afford all the biases LH was given.
This is exactly why I am NOT LONGER a McLaren fan.
From Daniel S, on Wed 3 Dec 8:51PM
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Ferrari have always managed to get both their cars on similar fuel strategies, qualified well up the grid, when Kimi's in the mood.
From , on Wed 3 Dec 1:13PM
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If Heikki was on the same fuel strategy as Hamilton, he would then complain about having to queue behind him in the pit stops! The reason for different fuel loads to avoid both drivers pitting at the same time.
From andypgrist, on Wed 3 Dec 10:17AM
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If I remember, that race was one by LH from about 6th on the grid and finished over a minute of everybody else. HK finished over a lap behind.
From Nigel K, on Wed 3 Dec 10:15AM
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Heiki, everyone knows Ron D's tactics. It's not new. You should've asked Alonso before joining McRipoff.
From Rav A, on Wed 3 Dec 9:30AM
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Poor Heikki won't win races as often as Hamilton or Raikkonen or Massa because Lewis is the favourite of Ron Dennis. So he won't have chances of title unless he leaves McLaren
From darkness_kozani, on Wed 3 Dec 9:16AM
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AS I said elswere the poodle can do a lot better it all depends on MCLAREN
From stivsf1, on Wed 3 Dec 8:49AM
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