Formula 1: Heikki Kovalainen - Cursed, Jinxed, or Unlucky?

The 26-year-old Finn always has a smile on his face. He has got to be one of the most positive guys on the grid, and it takes a lot to put a good man down, so as far as good men go Heikki is at the top of the tree because he just keeps bouncing back.

So let’s look at just what is going on with the current understudy of the McLaren lineup. Is this just a run of bad luck, or is Heikki making mistakes that are in fact costing him and the team dearly?

Round 1 – Australia – Albert Park – 14^ththru 16^th March 2008

• Practice 1 Position – 4^th
• Practice 2 Position – 4^th
• Qualifying Grid Position – 3^rd
• Race Position – 5^th

What happened?

Heikki was having a pretty good day at the office in Albert Park and probably should have finished 2^nd on the podium. All was going well right up until Timo Glock ran his Toyota off the exit to a corner, took off in his car, lost control and crashed, out comes the safety car.

Heikki had actually been leading when this crash took place, and he was forced into staying out longer than desired. By the time the mess was cleared and the SC pitted in, Heikki was back down in 7^th place. Fernando Alonso, Heikki’s old Renault team mate was his next target and after some great racing he actually managed to make a pass on the Spaniard.

Luck wasn’t on his side here, though. Heikki had an oil slick on his visor from Sebastian Bourdais' Torro Rosso blowing up earlier on in the race and whilst on the straight he attempted to tear off a visor strip. 

In doing this, he knocked his pit lane speed limiter. It was at this point that Fernando re-claimed the position. With the disqualification of Rubens Barichello and Kimi Raikkonen's retirement this was how Heikki got his 4 points.

• Additional – DHL Fastest Lap Award – Heikki Kovalainen (1:27:418)

Quote

(Heikki Kovalainen) "Obviously my competitiveness was better than the result shows. Unfortunately, the last Safety Car phase prevented me from finishing second. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the whole weekend working with the team on such a professional high level. My start was okay, but during the first stint I had a bit of graining on the tyres, but it didn't affect me too much. In my second stint and especially in the last part of the race, my car was really good and I was flying. I had a great battle, first with Kimi and then Fernando, which I really enjoyed. I managed to get past Fernando but then as I tore off a visor strip on the main straight, I accidentally hit the pit lane speed limiter button and Fernando managed to get past me again. I am pleased but also a bit disappointed, as we were looking strong for a one-two finish today."

Round 2 – Malaysia – Sepang – 21^stthru 23^rd March 2008

• Practice 1 Position – 3^rd
• Practice 2 Position – 7^th
• Qualifying Grid Position – 8^th
• Race Position – 3^rd

What happened?

The race was actually a really good effort by Heikki, finishing 3^rd from 8^th on the grid isn’t a bad effort at all, bagging six points. The bad luck had already struck after qualifying, hence the reason he started 8^th on the grid, he actually qualified 3^rd on the grid but was penalised five places after he was deemed to have blocked other drivers on a hot lap whilst he in turn was on an in lap in Q3.

Quote

(Heikki Kovalainen) "I am pretty happy with my third place today, considering yesterday's penalty, and it was probably the best possible result for us in these circumstances. Our strategy worked really well, and it meant that I was able to be in clean air for most of the race. The team really did a fantastic job, and I am happy to reward them with my first podium for the team. I did have a small issue with graining during my first stint; however, I was able to stay out until lap 20, which helped me to overtake Jarno Trulli during my first pit stop. After my second stop, I was able to play it safe and secure my third place, as it was not possible at this stage to go one better."

Round 3 – Bahrain – Bahrain Circuit – 4^ththru 6^th April 2008

• Practice 1 Position – 5^th
• Practice 2 Position – 3^rd
• Qualifying Grid Position – 5^th
• Race Position – 5^th

What happened?

Pretty much nothing... Surprising as it may seem, this one was incident free for the Finn, whilst not a strong race it went well all considered. It was simply a case of not being as fast as the Ferraris and BMW all weekend long.

• Additional – DHL Fastest Lap Award – Heikki Kovalainen (1:33:193)

Quote

(Heikki Kovalainen) "Quite a tough race today. I made a great start and overtook Kimi coming into Turn Two but then out-braked myself in Turn Four, and he regained his position. I then went in too deep at Turn Eight and flat-spotted my front right tyre which caused a lot of vibration. It vibrated so much that I was worried something would fall off the car. Things improved in the second stint and the car worked really well towards the end, when we changed to the prime tyre. Fifth was the maximum I could do today. However we still scored points on a difficult day, and that is the main thing. I have total commitment to the team and a good car, and I know we will keep working hard to improve for the start of the European races."

Round 4 – Spain – Catalunya – 25^ththru 27^th April 2008

• Practice 1 Position – 5^th
• Practice 2 Position – 16^th
• Qualifying Grid Position – 6^th
• Race Position – DNF (Crashed)

What happened?

Heikki didn’t finish the race in Spain, and instead of ending up in the pit lane watching the remainder of the race from the team paddock, he was in the medical room and then airlifted to a nearby hospital. This was due to a structural failure to the front left Bridgestone Potenza on his car. The wheel severed, causing instant blow out and Heikki lost control of the car completely and ended up impacting heavily into the tyre wall at approximately 150 mph. The deceleration was estimated at approximately 26G, an incredible amount of force for the body to survive, but the sprightly Finn suffered only a headache and a stiff neck, a testament to the safety procedures put in place on both the track and the car. That means zero points for this race for Mr. Kovalainen.

Quote

(Ron Dennis due to Heikki being in Hospital) "I am extremely pleased to be able to report that he is safe and well. Heikki was airlifted to the Hospital General de Catalunya in Sant Cugat del Valles, for precautionary checks, and will remain there overnight. However, he has no broken bones and CT scans performed at the hospital confirm that he has no head injuries and the team is optimistic that he will make a full recovery over the next few days."

Round 5 – Turkey – Istanbul – 9^ththru 11^th May 2008

• Practice 1 Position – 2^nd
• Practice 2 Position – 5^th
• Qualifying Grid Position – 2^nd
• Race Position – 12^th

What happened?

Lap 1, corner 1, and Heikki is tagged by an overenthusiastic Kimi Raikkonen. Kimi’s front wing clipped his fellow countryman’s rear right-hand Potenza causing a puncture. Heikki pits at the end of lap 2 after an attempt to race on with no such luck. That spells the end for a points finish. It was a brave fight back by Kovalainen, but he didn’t manage any higher than 12^th after some monumental tussles with the midfield cars.

Quote

(Heikki Kovalainen) "Not a lucky race for me, as I made a bad start from the dirty line on the grid. After the start, Kimi and I touched slightly which caused a slow puncture to my left-rear tyre. Initially, I was not sure whether the tyre was damaged or not, but during the Safety Car period I realised that I had to come into the pits for a new tyre. That was almost it for me, because with my heavy fuel load and the traffic, it is extremely difficult to gain any places during the race. However, I did my best but no points. These things happen, and I have had a good weekend and really enjoyed being back in the car. It's a shame that we were not able to get points today as I have been fast throughout, but I am really optimistic for Monaco."

Round 6 – Monaco – Monte Carlo – 22^ndthru 25^th May 2008

• Practice 1 Position – 3^rd
• Practice 2 Position – 5^th
• Qualifying Grid Position – 4^th
• Race Position – 8^th

What happened?

The race hadn’t even officially started, the cars were lined up ready for the formation lap, thoughts focused firmly on getting some heat into those intermediate tyres due to the light rainfall that was commencing, the lights go out and the MP4-23 is static on the grid. Heikki seems like he stalled and this means he must be pushed into the pits, restarted and then he will start from the pit lane and this without a doubt means you are going to be last in the race. The lights go out and it's Heikki bringing up the rear in 20^thposition. It was a race that certainly didn’t go by without incident, and somehow Heikki managed to fight his way to the last championship point in 8^th. A good drive, but riddled with bad luck again.

Quote

(Heikki Kovalainen) “An extremely difficult race, with any chance of finishing in a top position already gone when I could not engage a gear at the start of the formation lap. Consequently, I had to change the steering wheel in the pit lane from where I had to start my race. I tried to push as hard as I could, but could only go at my real pace when there was a gap. It is a pity, because my car was good and the speed was there. At least I scored one point at the end, and now look forward to the next Grand Prix where I will go maximum attack to finish with good results.”

I say that Heikki is just bloody unlucky, he has had a VERY unfortunate start to his career with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. A lot of it seems to be well and truly out of his control. I feel for him but at the back of my mind I know that he is handy in that MP4-23 and is most certainly capable of results.

Lewis had his luck today in the rain. When is it Heikki’s turn? As a McLaren fan, soon I hope!

So there you have it, make of it what you will now with all evidence in your possession. I will leave it down to you to decide... Is he Cursed, Jinxed or Unlucky? Comments please...

Ben, Over and Out.