Kovalainen says sixth was possible

In another disappointing race for McLaren, the Finn was running seventh but heavier on fuel than the Williams in front when he got sideways on the fast entry to the swimming pool and clouted the barriers hard.

"I just lost the car at the high-speed chicane," Kovalainen told the BBC. "Just lost the rear-end and I couldn't catch it, that was it.

"Nico was in front of me all the way. I had a little bit of difficulty getting the tyres to grip at the start of the race, but once they started to grip I was able to push quite okay.

"I was following Nico quite comfortably and I believe I would have being going a couple of laps longer - that was our estimation. So there was a good chance to be able to jump him at the pitstop, that was the plan.

"I mean it is impossible to overtake on the track, so I was just trying to follow him very close then try and attack once he pitted."

Team-mate and world champion Lewis Hamilton finished a distant 12th, one lap down, having started from the back of the grid.