Heikki Kovalainen

Lady · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:27 am Post subject: It's ALMOST official...

Briatore admits it's Kovalainen for Renault test role
23/11/2005

As predicted by Pitpass for some time, despite claims that he was heading to BMW, Heikki Kovalainen will be Renault's test driver in 2006.

Although the team has yet to make an official announcement, team boss Flavio Briatore, confirmed the Finn's role, whilst singing his praises, in an interview with Italian magazine, Autosprint.

"He is the future of F1," said Briatore, who has previously guided Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso to World Championship glory.

"We have invested a lot in him," he continued, "and there is no truth in rumours of him racing for BMW in 2006. He will be our test driver, and he will follow the same programme we used for Fernando."

In 2007 he will surely be on the F1 grid," added the Italian, "but I don't know whether it will be with Renault or another team. We shall see."

(c)

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I guess we almost got our answers... It would be silly, after all, for Renault to let him go now, before he gave anything back to the team...I'm disappointed that we won't see him starting a race for the whole next year, on the other hand, he will have time to get really cosy in Renault )) Funny enough, Briatore still hints that they might kick him out if he will not impress... Rolling Eyes

tough times for Heikki ahead

Yolz · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:32 am Post subject: Re: It's ALMOST official...

Lady wrote:

Briatore admits it's Kovalainen for Renault test role
23/11/2005

In 2007 he will surely be on the F1 grid," added the Italian, "but I don't know whether it will be with Renault or another team. We shall see."

I guess Alonso in 2007 would go to Ferrari and HK replaced him in Renault?,,

And Briatore'll keep drivers wages in minimum...

Lady · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:36 am Post subject:

Or maybe Fisi will have to go...If Ferrari wil take Kimi, why would they want Alonso as well? it could a bit too expensive, even for Ferrari...I'm sure, Fisi's salary is not to modest either Wink

Vera · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 3:49 pm Post subject:

I can't say now if I'm happy or not
strange feelings

and I'm confused by Briatore's words "but I don't know whether it will be with Renault or another team"...he's not the type of the guy who let HIS driver go (and he considers Kovalainen HIS own, I guess:)))

As to Ferrari, if the rumours were true somehow, and they are ready to pay Kimi 190mln for 5 years, keeping even the 2nd driver will be problematic Laughing

Yolz · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 5:45 am Post subject:

Vera wrote:

he's not the type of the guy who let HIS driver go

Vera, HIS driver is a driver from whom he get a percent from a salary - and he don't want to get a big money from his drivers which racing in his team (it's hard to explain to big bosses, I guess).. So let HIS driver get a big salary in another team while his team remains world champions - why not?

Lady · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 5:59 am Post subject:

Yolz wrote:

So let HIS driver get a big salary in another team while his team remains world champions - why not?

agree )) it's nice to be in a position to let good drivers go and earn him some money just on a face value while still employing world champion class drivers Cool

Vera · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 6:14 am Post subject:

it would be the case if he LEND him to another team, not if he let him go - with these words I meant that Heikki would be released from his contract with Renault

Lady · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 6:24 am Post subject:

Nothing is official at the moment, I HOPE they will explain all the details in their official statement )) just want to know WHEN !!!! Exclamation

Yolz · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 6:28 am Post subject:

Vera wrote:

these words I meant that Heikki would be released from his contract with Renault

Vera, contract with Renault and contract with FB - two different things...

FB as manager of HK could sent his driver to other team if FB as team manager of Renault decided that he have other great test drivers and it would be better to train HK in real races... But history of Alonso shows that test-drivers of Renault could transform in champions... So... Why should he feed other horses his own food Rolling Eyes

(???)))

Inge · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 12:58 pm Post subject:

I think it's good news, just because there IS some news!

In my sources Flavio adds that he's sure that Heikki will drive races in 2006 already. If that's true, what does he want to do with Fisi or Fernando towards the end of the season? Shocked

But this is kind off what we expected, isn't it? I just hope Heikki agrees with Flavios point of view.

Lady · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 3:11 pm Post subject:

Inge wrote:

In my sources Flavio adds that he's sure that Heikki will drive races in 2006 already. If that's true, what does he want to do with Fisi or Fernando towards the end of the season? Shocked

I think Flavio knows that one of his drivers will have to go...It could be Fernando going to Ferrari, or Giancarlo just making way for Heikki...One way or another, I think Heikki wibb drive a Renault at some point Exclamation

Inge · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 12:01 pm Post subject:

I think Fisi will have to go, but not before the end of the season, right..?

Lady · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 12:54 pm Post subject:

I don't know...He needs to do something VERY special next year to stay with Renault, but in any case I doubt that he'll leave before the end of the season )) we should take bets on this Wink

Yolz · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 10:10 am Post subject:

Lady wrote:

we should take bets on this Wink

Bets, bets, I like bets!))

FB is said that HK would drive but did he mention Renault? He may place him in BMW if they decide that JV (or someone) is too bad for their car?

Lady · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 10:25 am Post subject:

Yolz wrote:

FB is said that HK would drive but did he mention Renault? He may place him in BMW if they decide that JV (or someone) is too bad for their car?

Is that in FB's power to FORCE his driver into another team? I don't think so... he's good, but not that good )) but it's a different matter entirely if this another team WANTS Heikki in their car.... FB will do everything possible to get him there...