The pilot factory team in Formula 1 »ING Renault F1 Team Heikki Kovalainen is one of a new generation of riders with different big ambitions. Temperamental Kovalainen has always attracted considerable attention in the paddock. In spite of Finnish origin, Heikki different ardent southern temperament. After successful performances in karting and "junior" fomulah this young racer was able to create for itself an image of a new star and a coveted place in one of the strongest teams in the Royal race. Renault F1 team boss Flavio Briatore, the first could see the potential of Kovalainen. According to him, Heikki - golden future in Formula 1. " A technical team director Pad Simmons said the main advantage of the young Finn - a combination of quickness and intelligence on the track. Kovalainen was born in October 1981 in the town Suomussalmi in northern Finland. The main fascination of boys in the northern part of the country was hockey, but Heikki is already in early childhood was attracted to vehicles, although the chance to urge the puck, he also never missed. For the first time behind the wheel map Kovalainen put his father. Little Heikki was only six years. Four years later he began to take part in competitions. The first major success had to wait long for 8 years. But perseverance and hard work have yielded fruit, and in 1999 he first came to medalists karting. In the national championship Heikki won a silver award in the European - a bronze. In a dispute over titles Cova could rely primarily on their own talent and experience. Rivals, with whom he fought, had the best equipment and a large budget for performances. "My style aerobatics formed itself, I never really thought about how to go, - confessed the Finn. - My first mentor was his father, and yet I never asked him how to drive. I was just trying to make the ride as quickly as possible, and eventually learned to manage their own style and drive aggressively or softer - depending on what is dictated by the particular situation ", - says Kovalainen. In 2001, the young Finn made his debut in British Formula Renault. His successful debut was very important for future career racer. His recognized as the best rookie season, and he was included in the program to support young riders Renault. As a result of the sponsorship issue resolved itself, and Kovalainen was able to concentrate fully on his results. In 2002, Kowa became a pilot Fortec stables in the British Championship Formula 3 ". In addition, winning five races in the second half of the season, he was again recognized as the best rookie season. After such success guide Kovalainen Renault has made an offer he could not refuse, and in 2003, Heikki made his debut in the World Series Nissan. In a new series Kovalainen was on the team Gabord Competicion. His team-mate was an experienced champion 2001 and runner-up in 2002 Franck Montagny. The Frenchman, who led the Nissan is the third successive season, was not going to give the beginner and broke that in all respects, easily won the title (241 points against 131 for Heikki). Renault boss was unhappy with this performance, and Kovalainen was given the task by all means to make themselves next season. However, Montagny win could be recognized locally. His achievements were unstable. Places in the first team ING Renault F1 Team have been solidly behind Fernando Alonso and Jarno Trulli. Montagna was listed as the main test pilot. Despite this Kovalainen was able to first get behind the wheel formula cars - in December he spent testing for Renault in Barcelona and for Minardi at Vallelunga. To earn the trust management Renault next season, Kovalainen was only needed to win and, after a few races inexpressive, he set to work. His perseverance was left without reward, and in 2004, Heikki becomes a World Series champion Nissan. But the biggest furor has made no championship, but the result of the Race of Champions - this annual event on the Champions bolidah different class. In this race Cova able to bypass most of Michael Schumacher and World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb WRC. In 2005, Kovalainen won a seat in the new series GP2, which is the last stepping stone for promising young racers to win the Formula 1. " In these races at all bolidah used the same chassis, engines and tires, so that the fore skill rider. That season Cova took second place, behind Nico Rosberg. Heikki took his defeat with dignity, earning the respect of competitors. Together with Rosberg he made the final step to the top of motorsport - Formula 1 ". The difference was that Niko just got a place of combat racing in Williams, while Kovalainen had to spend a whole year to test the rank of third driver Renault. In 2006, Kovalainen has become a test pilot team Renault F1. During that year, he carefully studied the work of Alonso and parallel to apply this knowledge in tests. September 8 significant event took place, which Heikki sought throughout his career - guidance Renault announced that it will act together with Giancarlo Fisichella in the championship-2007. After the transition from Michelin to Bridgestone Team Renault F1 2007 season began to show not the second, that in the previous two seasons, and fought mainly with BMW team for third place in the championship. Heikki Kovalainen made his debut in Australia, where he finished tenth. In the first 12 gonah season he won 8 times and each time points finish in the race, except that it was only the pilots McLaren. Heikki made the best of success in Canada, where after a failed qualification was on 19 seats, but in the end because of changing the motor and started to do the last 22 places, but thanks to the tactics of one pit stop and a large number of retirements of competitors came to finish fourth, just not earning his first podium of his career. After the Turkish Grand Prix ahead of Heikki his teammate Giancarlo Fisichella in the World Championship. In this season, Kovalainen joined the team McLaren F1. In the first stage in Australia, qualified third and finished at 5 spot. In the second stage in Malaysia again qualified third but was penalized 5 positions for impeding other drivers during qualifying, started eighth and finished in 3 place.
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