Heikki Kovalainen is the first to admit that he needs to raise his game this year, but with the misfortunes of 2008 behind him, he is determined to prove himself this season

Sometimes Heikki Kovalainen must wonder what he's done to deserve the appalling bad luck that seems to have dogged his short F1 career.

For the recent crucial first test with the 2009 McLaren in Portugal he was scheduled to drive on the last day. In normal circumstances that's the most favourable time, since there's rubber down on the track, and much of the routine shakedown work has been completed. It should have been an opportunity to log some serious miles, and begin to get a handle on how a 2009 F1 car ticks.

To continue reading this feature...

You must have an AUTOSPORT subscription. Prices start from just $1.43 per week and give you full unrestriced access to all PLUS features. View package options? Magazine subscriber?

Online subscription

from just

$1.43

per week

• Unrestricted access to all PLUS features
• View website in ad-free environment
• Full F1 stats since 1950 in FORIX

View all package options