Kovalainen accepts Briatore criticism

Renault driver Heikki Kovalainen says he understands Flavio Briatore's criticism following the Finn's dismal Australian Grand Prix

Briatore labelled Kovalainen's race as "rubbish" after the rookie finished in tenth position in the Melbourne event following a spin and other driving errors.

But the rookie admitted he was also disappointed with his own performance and accepted the criticism he was subject to.

"Flavio Briatore did not mince his words afterwards, in private or public, but that's completely normal," the Finn wrote in his column for BBC. "Everyone was disappointed. I wasn't expecting anyone to say, 'Well done', or 'It's part of the learning curve'.

"I understand their frustration. I am more disappointed than anyone, but I'm not going to let my head go down and be sad about it.

"I have learned enough as a test driver to do a lot better job than I did in Melbourne but unfortunately there were too many mistakes that cost me time."

Despite his poor debut, Kovalainen says that he is still confident in his ability to do well in Formula One.

"I don't think I learned a lot last weekend other than what can go wrong," he added. "There is not much to take from last weekend. I finished the race, but that was it.

"I know I can do a lot better. I haven't lost any of my confidence in my own ability."