Haug: « Kovalainen was underestimated! »

Heikki Kovalainen should surprise many people this year with his results, because many have underestimated his potential expressed during his first season in F1.

This is, in any case, the viewpoint of Mercedes-Benz boss Norbert Haug, who believes that the relationship between the Finn and Lewis Hamilton will be excellent in 2008.

« I think Heikki is probably a little underestimated if we look at his recent results. His rise in F1 was very impressive and he was on the podium in his first year, » Haug said.

« He didn’t have the best car to win races, but he finished second, so that’s positive. I think we have a good line-up for 2008. »

Hamilton thinks that the working relationship between Kovalainen and his new teammate Hamilton will be very different from that between the Briton and Fernando Alonso in the past.

« You know how it goes with certain people. You ask them questions and they give you almost nothing in response. With some people, you have to carry the conversation, while with others, the connection is better, » stated Hamilton.

« With Heikki, I don’t need to make conversation, he is happy to start within the team. We cannot talk about age differences, and I think he has interests that are very close to mine. »

« He loves the car without traction control, he likes races where the single-seaters are wheel to wheel. He loves the true racing spirit. »

And he sees no problem with facing a situation of equality with his teammate, despite the frictions this situation caused last year with Alonso.

« For me, that poses no problems. At the end of the day, you have the same chances. »

« If he beats me, I’d like to understand why and then come back and try to beat him next time. We know each other well and each of us knows how the other operates and honestly, I don’t see why there would be problems during the season, » concluded Hamilton.