Heikki Kovalainen has been officially confirmed as a McLaren-Mercedes driver for 2008, stepping into
Fernando Alonso's seat for the second year in succession.
The Finn previously replaced the Spaniard at
Renault for the 2007 campaign – his debut season in the top flight – and impressed by both outscoring and outperforming highly-experienced team-mate
Giancarlo Fisichella en route to seventh spot in the drivers' standings, including joining new team-mate
Lewis Hamilton up on the rostrum following a stirring drive to the runner-up spot in the rain-lashed Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji.
“I am so excited to join a team like Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes,” Kovalainen enthused, on becoming the third Finn to move to the Woking-based outfit in recent years. “So far I have been blown away by the dedication and commitment to winning which is clear through the entire organisation, and I am really excited about our joint future.
“As a Finn it's an honour for me to follow in Mika (Hakkinen) and Kimi (Raikkonen's) footsteps. I haven't really spent a lot of time with Lewis so far, but from what I know I think we will work well together and do our best for the team.”
The 26-year-old has agreed an unspecified long-term contract with the British squad. CEO Martin Whitmarsh acknowledged much consideration had gone into determining
McLaren's final 2008 line-up, which will retain Pedro de la Rosa as third driver as well as Gary Paffett, who will continue to assist the Spaniard with the testing programme when required.
“We had a number of options open to us,” Whitmarsh confirmed. “As always we want to make sure we have the most competitive driver line-up, and I think Lewis and Heikki will be a formidable combination. Both enjoyed great rookie seasons in 2007 and share a genuine passion for winning and being the best.
