Q & A with Heikki Kovalainen

During testing at Jerez, Kovalainen spoke about his initial impressions of life at McLaren, and how his preparation the new season compares to his build-up to 2007.

Q. How is the car feeling?

Heikki Kovalainen: It's really fantastic. Of course it's too early to say how good it will be but i can already feel the difference to last year's Renault. My feeling with the team is very positive. I'm really enjoying my time here, it's so far so good.

Q. How is driving without traction control?

HK: Of course it's a little bit more difficult. You need to concentrate more, it's easier to make a mistake and very easy to slide the rear wheels which will cost you time. All the time I'm trying to work on my driving technique to make sure I get everything out of the car, but I'm enjoying it, I think it's the right move.

Q. Do you think it will be more dangerous?

HK: No I don't think so, Formula One is always a little bit dangerous. I'm not scared of anything, you just need to be more alert and focus very hard - especially in the rain it will bit little harder. But I don't think will be too difficult and I think the drivers will get used to it quickly. I think it's better for the sport. We'll probably see more sliding, more mistakes, and hopefully more overtaking. That's what the spectators want so let's hope it works like that.

Q. Will your experience from GP2 help you drive without traction control?

HK: No, not so much. Of course I have some feeling of how to drive without traction control from two years ago but the other guys will learn it quickly and when we get to Melbourne there won't be any advantage for me.

Q. How is the car in the longer runs?

HK: I think it's really promising. We started the runs in the 1:19s and we managed to finish in the low 1:20s. To me it feels quite positive and the engineers seem to be encouraged, but you never really know where you are in testing - you don't know what the other teams are doing. But from the handling I'm quite encouraged.

Q. Where is this car better than the Renault?

HK: The biggest difference is the grip and high-speed balance. But it's a little bit everywhere, there's nothing magic about it, there are no big tricks, it just adds up over a lap.

Q. How has getting this drive changed your profile in Finland?

HK: Not much, I haven't noticed any difference. Kimi (Raikkonen) is still number one as the world champion - he gets a lot of publicity and I can still be very quiet. I have an easy private life, nobody bothers me.

Q. Have you made any changes to your personal preparations prior to 2008?

HK: Yes, absolutely. The start of the 2007 season was poor. I wasn't prepared well enough physically, mentally, or technically. I wasn't spending enough time with the team. But as I've joined McLaren, straight away we've made changes to my fitness programme to make me a better athlete. I'm spending more time at the factory with the team. I have changed many things and I think I will be a better driver when I get to Melbourne than last year.

Q. What's it like driving without the engine braking?

HK: It's a little bit more difficult to stop the car. And also when you lock the wheels there's nothing controlling the braking, so you need to be more gentle on the brakes. But I can only compare to what it was at Renault, I don't know how McLaren was before so it's difficult to compare.

Q. What are your expectations for the year ahead?

HK: At the moment my focus is on preparing for the first race better than I did last year. Making sure that when I get to Melbourne I know I've done everything as well as I could have, then the results should be good.

Q. Having driven the car, would you be disappointed not to win a race this year?

HK: It's difficult to say. Honestly we don't know where we are compared to the others. We are very positive, everyone in the team is very excited about the new car but it's better not to predict too much yet.

Q. How does McLaren's culture and work ethic compare to what you're used to?

HK: I was already happy at Renault, they have a great bunch of guys working there. The atmosphere at McLaren is calm, everyone is working hard. I think it will suit me a little bit better here, it's a friendly and very warm team. I heard many things before I joined the team but I have no idea where those comments are coming from. Everyone has been very friendly and welcoming with me and I probably haven't been happier in my life.