Kovalainen not distraught over loss

The Finn had been one of the pre-event favourites for victory, having triumphed in 2004, but he lost out in the quarter finals to Andy Priaulx.

And to add insult to the injury of defeat, Kovalainen lost control of his Aston Martin coming out of the final corner and, after a spectacular tank-slapper, he eventually spun into the crash barriers.

But rather than kick himself for the missed opportunity, Kovalainen made it clear that he will go to sleep tonight more excited about starting work at McLaren's Woking factory in the morning.

"Andy drove well," said Kovalainen, who was only announced as a McLaren driver on Friday. "I didn't have a big problem. I just didn't adapt to the car fast enough.

"Andy drove better, and although it's a little bit disappointing for me I've done the maximum.

"At the end of the day this is not costing me any championship points, so there's no need to be sad. Tomorrow I'll get up and go to work with my new team."