Kovalainen: I'm stronger but not rebuilt

Dennis said after Kovalainen's podium finish in Malaysia that his team had worked hard to lift the Finn's confidence after a challenging debut season with Renault.

"Heikki is a guy who was systematically taken apart last year and we have systematically put him back together again," Dennis claimed.

But speaking in Bahrain, Kovalainen said it was probably an exaggeration to claim that he suffered so much last year.

"I don't think I was a broken man," said Kovalainen. "It might have been an exaggeration. It is more difficult to show your true skills if you don't have the car and the whole package to be running at the front.

"I felt I did some very good races last year where I finished seventh or eighth, and unfortunately people don't see that. But here now hopefully I am able to fight near the front, and fight for victories at some point in the season, and then people will realise.

"I never had any doubts in myself. I don't think I've been broken or destroyed at any point. I had all the support at Renault, but I feel the same here - and it is a big company this whole outfit. I think they can support me in many directions."

Kovalainen feels that the size of the McLaren team has helped him become a better driver, though, because there are more resources to aid him.

"I feel I am stronger as a person now. I am fitter," he explained. "I feel working with everybody, the engineers and mechanics, I have a good part in this team.

"People listen to me very well, and if I say something they believe me. I am not saying they didn't do that at Renault , but certainly here I feel the relationship is already very strong."

He added: "This team is very big. There are many different areas that they can help me to improve technically, physically, and mentally. We are starting to see those improvements, but I have always believed in myself 100 percent. They are giving me all the right direction to become a world champion eventually."