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Heikki Kovalainen?

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by rob lay, Jun 28, 2006.

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  1. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #1 rob lay, Jun 28, 2006
    Is Heikki the driver a few years back that surprised everyone at the Race of Champions beating Michael and the best of rally racers. If not, who was that driver? Thanks.

    Heikki Kovalainen Wants F1 Race Seat in '07
    Written by: RACER staff
    Milan, Italy – 6/28/2006 Kovalainen has spent '06 testing for Renault after being the GP2 Series runner-up last year. (LAT Photo)

    Renault test driver Heikki Kovalainen is not willing to stay away from racing for another year, even though the Finn's chances to upgrade to a race seat with the French squad are believed to have taken a hit following the confirmation of Giancarlo Fisichella's contract extension for '07, which has put Renault on the market for a "lead driver" - possibly McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, or even Williams' Mark Webber - for next year's campaign.

    Kovalainen has spent '06 just testing for Renault, after losing last year's inaugural GP2 Series title to Nico Rosberg in the final races of the season.

    "I won't accept another year as test driver," the Finn told Italy's Autosprint magazine. "I worked hard for this and I was happy to do it, but I planned to stay away from racing for just one season. Now I want to race."

    If Renault can't find a spot for him in '07, Kovalainen doesn't discard the possibility of seeking a race drive elsewhere in the F1 paddock.

    "At the moment I still don't have a contract with Renault but with Flavio Briatore's Management company," he added. "But my priority is to stay where I am. I know the team and the people. It would be a shame to throw away all the work done so far.
     
  2. tuttebenne

    tuttebenne F1 Rookie

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    #2 tuttebenne, Jun 28, 2006
    Yes it was. Very interesting. So there ARE others out there...
     
  3. bretm

    bretm F1 Rookie

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    #3 bretm, Jun 28, 2006
    In the second pic of post #5 in this thread he's walking along the grid, blonde hair (presumably behind Alonso's group). You don't hear much about his times in testing, so it's hard to tell why he's having trouble breaking through. Maybe Finland already has a figurehead in F1 and Bernie doesn't see room for two...?

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110760
     
  4. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 tifosi12, Jun 28, 2006
    It is not a good sign when a team wants to keep a driver as a test driver and not upgrade him to racing driver.

    I'm somewhat confused because Flabio spoke of HK as the next Alonso/Schumacher and he has discovered both of those champions. Now he doesn't want to upgrade HK. What gives?

    A second year as test driver is the kiss of death. Not sure on this, but I believe any test driver who had that role for more than one year ended up as test driver or in retirement.
     
  5. Senna1994

    Senna1994 F1 World Champ

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    #5 Senna1994, Jun 28, 2006
    The guy is an excellent driver, I think if Flavio wants to keep him, perhaps he should farm him out for 1 year, but to who? There is no more Minardi, and the Russian joker who runs $hitland F1 wants paying drivers to begin with.
     
  6. Chicko

    Chicko Formula 3

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    #6 Chicko, Jun 28, 2006
    How how exactly did Flavio Briatore discover Alonso/Schumacher ?? You did mean Flavio Briatore or did u mean a "Flabio" that i have never heard off?
     
  7. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 tifosi12, Jun 28, 2006
    Flabio is Flavio's nickname. At least here in the States. Courtesy of his flabby figure.
     
  8. Chicko

    Chicko Formula 3

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    #8 Chicko, Jun 28, 2006
    Oh, Americans having a laugh at a fat european guy, thats rich :)
     
  9. SRT Mike

    SRT Mike Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #9 SRT Mike, Jun 28, 2006
    What does Bernie have to do with it? He has about as much say in Heiki's F1 future as Jackie Stewart does.
     
  10. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

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    #10 jknight, Jun 28, 2006
    Hi Andreas - my answer to your question "what gives"? is with Fisi already sitting fat, dumb and happy with a new contract and his comment that he perceives that the other seat will be occupied by a Finn, HK can't be upgraded because the "other Finn" will occupy the other race seat. It does sound plausible doesn't it?

    Enjoy Indy - will catch up with you somewhere, someplace and have that beer.

    Carol
     
  11. Mike360

    Mike360 F1 Rookie

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    #11 Mike360, Jun 29, 2006
    For some that are interested, and know what im talking about....

    But Heikki was the "Stig" driving the Renault F1 in Top Gear....

    :p
     
  12. 1_can_dream

    1_can_dream F1 Veteran

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    #12 1_can_dream, Jun 29, 2006
    I would believe that, but who is the real "Stig" that drives the rest of the cars on Top Gear?
     
  13. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #13 tifosi12, Jun 29, 2006
    LOL
    Don't tell that to Stewart. He still believes he runs the Universe Monday through Saturday and F1 on Sundays.
     
  14. bretm

    bretm F1 Rookie

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    #14 bretm, Jun 29, 2006
    It's rather naive to propose that Bernie doesn't pressure, or at least discuss things like this with team bosses. I'd venture he has a fair amount of say in what goes on in what amounts to his business (F1 empire).

    You don't think Bernie and Flavio ever eat dinner together and talk drivers?

    That comment specifically though about HK was simply a passing thought, not to be taken too seriously or as a conspiracy theory. Just a random stab at why the kid appears to be facing some resistance at the moment.
     
  15. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 tifosi12, Jun 29, 2006
    You're right, Bernie does try to place people, but in the end his influence level particularly with the big teams is limited.

    And watching helplessly as his show went down in flames at last year's USGP was to me the best sign that his power of influence is diminishing. Back in 82 he dueled with Balestre and called the shots. In 2005 he is merely a bystander.
     
  16. bretm

    bretm F1 Rookie

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    #16 bretm, Jun 29, 2006
    Good point. Briatore isn't a slouch either, so Bernie would have to make it worth his while to entertain any marketing ideas.

    HK's situation is hard to figure though. I was pretty sure he was going to break through before Speed or Rosberg. He's personable in all the interviews (polar opposite of how KR comes across in front of a mic). And he's shown serious speed in every series he's entered.
     

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