Kovalainen wants long stay at McLaren

Heikki Kovalainen

(GMM) Heikki Kovalainen says he intends to stay at McLaren for "as long as possible", beginning in 2008.

The Finn is joining the British team from Renault to replace Fernando Alonso, who spent an ill-fated single season with McLaren alongside Lewis Hamilton last season.

But Kovalainen, who is 26, told the British tabloid The People that he is not similarly expecting to clash with Hamilton, an old karting rival.

"I want to stay with
McLaren as long as possible," he said.

"It has been my favorite team since I was a kid and I always wanted to be part of it.

"Now I want to make the most of the challenge and make sure that nothing goes wrong," he added.

Kovalainen notched up a best finish of second at Fuji last season, and rounded out his debut season seventh in the drivers' classification.

Interestingly, due to Kovalainen's full season as a Renault test driver in 2006, the Finn actually has more formula one experience under his belt than Hamilton.

But Kovalainen said of his new British teammate: "He is a very strong driver and clearly he is one of the favorites for the championship.

"I want to build a relationship with the team so that I can be competitive as well, even if he is going to have a little bit of an advantage.

"I think I will have a little bit of catching up to do," Kovalainen acknowledged.