Heikki Kovalainen is likely to spend many years at McLaren if he stays willing to be the team's number two driver.

That is the opinion of double world champion Fernando Alonso, who fled the British team after just one season alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2007.

His replacement this year was Kovalainen, the 26-year-old Finn who is 30 points behind championship leader Hamilton in the drivers' standings.

On Thursday in Budapest, McLaren confirmed that Kovalainen will remain Hamilton's teammate in 2009.

"If Kovalainen continues to do what McLaren wants him to do, surely they will keep him for many more years as well," Alonso told the Spanish broadcaster Telecinco.

Alonso, 27, said he... // AutoCorse.it

Auto Racing Daily (Enlarge photo)

Heikki Kovalainen on Thursday said he can imagine spending the rest of his Formula One career at McLaren.

At the Hungaroring on Thursday, the Mercedes-powered team confirmed that Kovalainen will in 2009 race for a second consecutive year second consecutive year alongside team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

The Finn’s future has been the subject of much debate in recent weeks following a less than impressive start to life with the Woking-based outfit. // Auto Racing Daily

Sportinglife.com (Enlarge photo)

Heikki Kovalainen says he would love to finish his F1 career with McLaren after being confirmed as Lewis Hamilton's partner for next year.

The Woking-based team have confirmed Kovalainen will again partner Hamilton in 2009 as they look to build on the stability they have created this season.

The move comes as no surprise as Hamilton and Kovalainen have also developed a close friendship since the Finn joined McLaren following his release from Renault at the end of last year.

However, the 26-year-old has endured his fair share of troubles this season, and after 10 races he trails Hamilton by 30 points in the drivers' standings, with his title chances virtually over.

But although Kovalainen has only managed to stand on the podium once this year, McLaren have now made it clear they are... // Sportinglife.com

McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh said: 'We welcomed Heikki onboard at the start of the year.

'He is under contract to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and will race for us in the 2009 season.'

After joining McLaren following his release from Renault, the 26-year-old has endured his fair share of troubles this season.

It means after 10 races, Kovalainen trails Hamilton by 30 points in the drivers' standings, with his title chances virtually over.

One podium to date... // Metro

Heikki Kovalainen is likely to spend many years at McLaren if he is willing to be the team's number two driver. That is the opinion of Fernando Alonso , who fled the British team after just one season alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2007.

His replacement this year was Kovalainen, the 26-year-old Finn who is 30 points behind championship leader Hamilton in the drivers' standings.

On Thursday in Budapest , McLaren confirmed that Kovalainen will remain Hamilton's team-mate in 2009.

"If Kovalainen continues to do what McLaren wants him to do, surely they will keep him for many more years as well," Alonso told the Spanish broadcaster Telecinco .

Alonso said he believes Kovalainen... // Yahoo! Eurosport

Heikki Kovalainen is likely to spend many years at McLaren if he stays willing to be the team's number two driver.

That is the opinion of double world champion Fernando Alonso, who fled the British team after just one season alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2007.

His replacement this year was Kovalainen, the 26-year-old Finn who is 30 points behind championship leader Hamilton in the drivers' standings.

On Thursday in Budapest, McLaren confirmed that Kovalainen will remain Hamilton's teammate in 2009.

"If Kovalainen continues to do what McLaren wants him to do, surely they will keep him for many more years as well," Alonso told the Spanish broadcaster Telecinco.

Alonso, 27, said he... // Home of Sport

HUNGARORING: Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen is to race a second season for McLaren, the Formula One team said yesterday.

We welcomed Heikki onboard at the start of the year, McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh said in a statement yesterday. He is under contract... and will race for us in the 2009 season.

Kovalainens future with McLaren had been the subject of speculation following some inconsistent performances this season including just one... // Malaysia Star

McLaren had a turbulent season in 2007, receiving a record fine from the "spygate" scandal with Ferrari and finishing second in the drivers' standings after Alonso, a two-time world champion at Renault, fell out with Lewis Hamilton.

"The atmosphere in the team is fantastic and that's also due to Heikki. We love to work together," Hamilton said. "We're having a much smoother year, it's much more relaxed as it should be. We don't have any excess... // New Zealand Herald

oubles this season, and after ten races he trails Hamilton by 30 points in the drivers' standings, with his title chances virtually over.

But although Kovalainen has only managed to stand on the podium once this year, McLaren have now made it clear they are determined to stand by him and help him progress. If that can be achieved and Kovalainen starts to gain the results his talent deserve, he is hoping his partnership with McLaren lasts way beyond next year.

"I am very, very happy with this team," said Kovalainen. "I have no second thoughts about being with them. There is great potential, and I want to be part of it.

"I want to become a successful driver with them, and hopefully we can announce at some point in the future that I will stay for many years to come. I'd be happy to finish... // Scotsman

Heikki Kovalainen is to remain with McLaren for a second season, it was announced on Thursday.

The Woking-based marque have confirmed Kovalainen will partner Lewis Hamilton in 2009 as they look for stability within the team.

McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh said: "We welcomed Heikki onboard at the start of the year. He is under contract to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and will race for us in the 2009 season."

After joining McLaren following his release from Renault, the 26-year-old has endured his fair share of troubles this season.

It means after 10 races, Kovalainen... // Cotswold Journal

Heikki Kovalainen has today revealed he would love to finish his Formula One career with McLaren.

The Woking-based team have confirmed Kovalainen will again partner Lewis Hamilton in 2009 as they look to build on the stability they have created this season.

The move comes as no surprise as Hamilton and Kovalainen have developed a close friendship since the Finn joined McLaren following his release from Renault at the end of last year.

However, the 26-year-old has endured his fair share of troubles this season, and after 10 races he trails Hamilton by 30 points in the drivers' standings, with his title chances virtually gone.

But although Kovalainen has made the podium only once this year, McLaren have now made it clear they are determined to stand by him.

If that can be achieved... // The Herald

Heikki Kovalainen on Thursday said he can imagine spending the rest of his Formula One career at McLaren .

At the Hungaroring on Thursday, the Mercedes-powered team confirmed that Kovalainen will in 2009 race for a second consecutive year alongside team-mate Lewis Hamilton .

"I want to become a successful driver in this team and hopefully we can announce at some point in the future that I can stay here for many, many years," he told reporters... // Yahoo! Eurosport

The Finnish Formula One motor racing driver Heikki Kovalainen says he hopes to end his career with McLaren after they announced his contract will be extended until the end of next season.

The 26-year-old says there is great potential in the team and he wants to be a successful driver in it.

Kovalainen's future has been the subject of media speculation during an inconsistent season, with his only podium finish coming when he was third in... // Radio New Zealand

Bleacher Report (Enlarge photo)

Kovalainen will stay at McLaren for another year. But Dagni Kankkunen says he's yet to prove himself, and hopes he can do so in '09.

Well, it is officially announced that Heikki Kovalainen will stay at McLaren Mercedes in 2009.

"I want to become a successful driver in this team, and hopefully we can announce at some point in the future that I can stay here for many, many years."

“I would be happy to finish my career at this team, to be honest.” - Heikki stated.

I didn't have a chance to see the details of that contract, or how much money Heikki will get. That is secret for now. Only one thing is clear: this is not long-term contract, it's just for 2009.

It is not up to me to judge if this a good... // Bleacher Report

Heikki Kovalainen says it is his ambition to see out his Formula 1 career at McLaren after the team confirmed on Thursday that he will stay on board for 2009.

The second-year driver, who moved from Renault to McLaren over the winter, says he always intended to make a long-term home in the Woking squad and can see himself remaining there for the rest of his time in F1.

“Since the beginning of my McLaren career it has been the target to... // ITV.com

The Woking-based team have confirmed Kovalainen will again partner Lewis Hamilton in 2009 as they look to build on the stability they have created this season.

The move comes as no surprise as Hamilton and Kovalainen have also developed a close friendship since the Finn joined McLaren following his release from Renault at the end of last year.

However, the 26-year-old has endured his fair share of troubles this season, and after 10 races he trails Hamilton by 30 points in the drivers' standings, with his title chances virtually over.

But although Kovalainen has only managed to stand on the podium once this year, McLaren have now made it clear they are determined to stand by him and help him progress.

If that can be achieved and Kovalainen starts to gain the... // Planet F-1.com

Heikki Kovalainen will remain at McLaren for the 2009 Formula One season. The 26-year-old was confirmed as a driver for next year's season by McLaren on Thursday, despite rumours that he would be axed at the end of 2008.

He is currently sixth in the standings in his first campaign with the British team, with 28 points — less than half the total of team-mate Lewis Hamilton, the current world championship leader.

Chief executive Martin Whitmarsh said:... // FOXSports.com

Heikki Kovalainen is to remain with McLaren for a second season, it was announced on Thursday.

The Woking-based marque have confirmed Kovalainen will partner Lewis Hamilton in 2009 as they look for stability within the team.

McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh said: "We welcomed Heikki onboard at the start of the year. He is under contract to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and will race for us in the 2009 season."

After joining McLaren following his release from Renault, the 26-year-old has endured his fair share of troubles this season.

It means after 10 races, Kovalainen... // Chorley Citizen

Heikki Kovalainen is to remain with McLaren for a second season, it was announced on Thursday.

The Woking-based marque have confirmed Kovalainen will partner Lewis Hamilton in 2009 as they look for stability within the team.

McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh said: "We welcomed Heikki onboard at the start of the year. He is under contract to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and will race for us in the 2009 season."

After joining McLaren following his release from Renault, the 26-year-old has endured his fair share of troubles this season.

It means after 10 races, Kovalainen... // Hereford Times

Yahoo! Eurosport (Enlarge photo)

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Finn Heikki Kovalainen said on Thursday he hoped to end his career with McLaren after they announced his contract would be extended until the end of next season.

"I'm very happy with this team so there were no second thoughts about signing the new contract," the 26-year-old Formula One driver told a news conference ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

"There is great potential in this team and I want to be a successful driver in it. I would be happy to finish my career with this team."

Kovalainen's future has been the subject of media speculation during an inconsistent season, with his only podium finish coming when he was third in Malaysia.

He is sixth in the drivers' championship, 30 points behind team mate and championship... // Yahoo! Eurosport

TSN.ca (Enlarge photo)

McLaren will continue with an unchanged lineup in 2009, confirming that Heikki Kovalainen will return for a second season.

"He is under contract and will race for us in the 2009 season," said McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh.

The Finn currently sits sixth in the drivers' championship, 30 points behind his team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who is leading the championship. In 10 races this season, he has just one podium result - third in Malaysia - but he has six top-5 finishes and only twice this season he has finished outside the top-10.

Still, there had been speculation that Kovalainen might be one-and-done with the team, something that Whitmarsh moved to dismiss in looking ahead to this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

"Heikki is a brilliant racing driver," he said. "His pass of Robert Kubica... // TSN.ca

Driver Heikki Kovalainen will remain at McLaren-Mercedes squad till 2009, as the driver’s existing deal is understood to contain a longer-term option on his services and the team decided to take up that option.

This way, McLaren secured the stay of both drivers for one more year, exactly when the British squad is going through a great moment this season, with Lewis Hamilton leading the standings. In the constructors standings, McLaren stand... // SportsYA!

Heikki Kovalainen says he would be happy to finish his career at McLaren after having his contract with the team confirmed for 2009.

The Finn joined the Woking-based outfit at the start of this season and, although bad luck has effectively ruled him out of the championship fight, the team have seen enough to keep him for next year.

And Kovalainen has not ruled out committing himself to the team for even longer - saying it has been his target since the day he joined them.

"I think as far as I am concerned I have never been worried about my contractual situation," said Kovalainen. "Since the beginning of my McLaren career it has been the target to extend this relationship... // autosport.com

BUDAPEST, Hungary Heikki Kovalainen will remain a McLaren driver for the 2009 Formula One season.

The 26-year-old Finn, who is sixth in the standings in his first season with the British team, was confirmed as a driver for next year by McLaren on Thursday.

Kovalainen has had a disjointed debut season at McLaren since joining from Renault, with Fernando Alonso going the other way.

There had been reports that McLaren was interested in... // The Canadian Press