14-12-2007, 04:49 PM
ArrayHeikki Kovalainen will partner Lewis Hamilton in next year's Formula One World Championship after joining McLaren from Renault.
The 26-year-old Finn replaces two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in the team after the Spaniard left to take Kovalainen's seat at Renault.
McLaren also confirmed that Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa - who had been in contention for the race seat - will remain as chief test driver, while Britain's Gary Paffett will also continue in a testing role with the team.
We had a number of options open to us and as always we want to make sure that we have the most competitive driver line-up and I think that Lewis and Heikki will be a formidable combination, said the team's Chief Operations Officer Martin Whitmarsh.
Both enjoyed great rookie seasons in 2007 and share a genuine passion for winning and being the best. Heikki made a strong impression and Lewis' performance so far has been outstanding and speaks for itself.
"I am confident that they will push each other on track and work well together off track. In addition with Pedro remaining our primary test driver alongside Gary, we really have a strong package and look forward to 2008[/quote]
The 26-year-old Finn replaces two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in the team after the Spaniard left to take Kovalainen's seat at Renault.
McLaren also confirmed that Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa - who had been in contention for the race seat - will remain as chief test driver, while Britain's Gary Paffett will also continue in a testing role with the team.
We had a number of options open to us and as always we want to make sure that we have the most competitive driver line-up and I think that Lewis and Heikki will be a formidable combination, said the team's Chief Operations Officer Martin Whitmarsh.
Both enjoyed great rookie seasons in 2007 and share a genuine passion for winning and being the best. Heikki made a strong impression and Lewis' performance so far has been outstanding and speaks for itself.
"I am confident that they will push each other on track and work well together off track. In addition with Pedro remaining our primary test driver alongside Gary, we really have a strong package and look forward to 2008[/quote]
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