The plaudits for
Heikki Kovalainen's drive through the field at the French Grand Prix continued to come from Woking more than a day after the Finn had crossed the line at Magny-Cours in fourth place, but the team reckons that he could also have spoiled
Jarno Trulli's emotional podium appearance.
While the
Toyota driver was able to provide a fitting send-off to late team boss Ove Andersson, Kovalainen was less than a second in arrears at the chequered flag, and
McLaren chiefs pointed to the scars of battle in claiming that the result could have been different.
"Unfortunately, if his tyres hadn't grained slightly in the closing laps, we feel confident that Heikki could have got past," CEO Martin Whitmarsh commented, "But it was a testament to him that he didn't risk the positions of either himself or Trulli during that battle. I'm sure he'll come away from this race pleased with his efforts - but regretting that he couldn't have started higher up the grid.”
Kovalainen had been under pressure to perform in France, not only after a succession of below-par results - not all of his own making - but also in an attempt to limit the potential damage to team-mate
Lewis Hamilton's championship chances after the Briton was hit with a ten-place grid penalty. It was ironic, therefore, that the Finn should pick up a punishment of his own, after being accused of blocking
Mark Webber during Saturday's qualifying session, and be forced to start five places further back than his original grid slot.
Kovalainen duly produced a sixth-place effort on his final flying lap, and the true magnitude of that effort was only revealed when the pit-stop windows opened on race day.
“Not only was Heikki fuelled longer than anybody who qualified ahead of him, but we were also heavier than anybody who was subsequently placed ahead of him on the grid due to his penalty," Whitmarsh confirmed, "That puts his qualifying performance in proper perspective and shows just what an outstanding job he did in Q3.
