Kovalainen sure to get equal treatment

"I would not have come to a team if I did not think I had an equal chance to fight for the championship," Kovalainen told reporters during the launch of McLaren's new car in Germany.

"With McLaren, I have that.

"You do not know how the season is going to go, but at least to start with I have exactly the same opportunity as Lewis has, and it is up to me to build a relationship with the team and to make it as strong as I can. And we will see what happens.

"Absolutely, I have equal treatment," he added.

The Finn is joining the Woking-based squad from Renault to partner Hamilton, who has been backed by McLaren for over a decade now.

Kovalainen admits he needs to get to know the team very well in order to not be at a disadvantage against his teammate.

"Well, that is obviously something I need to work on over this period of time between now and Melbourne," he added.

"To be honest I already started it the day I signed the contract. The next day I was in the factory, going around and getting to know everybody and how the team works.

"It is something I need to focus on a bit more than Lewis. He is already on autopilot, as he knows already how the team works.

"I need to find my way there, but I just have to work harder so by the time I get to Melbourne and the first few races, I should be up to speed and fully integrated into the team. The guys have welcomed me very well, so so far it has been very easy to be honest."