Heikki: Hamilton's move was 'clean'

Sunday 12th October 2008

Heikki Kovalainen believes McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton's overtaking move on Kimi Raikkonen at the first corner of the Japanese Grand Prix was fair.

Hamilton received a drive-through penalty after he forced Raikkonen off the track while running wide on the exit of Turn One. The penalty effectively ended any hopes the Brit had of scoring points at the Fuji Speedway.

Kovalainen told ITV: "Obviously Kimi got a good start and I think my start was very good as well, Lewis' wasn't quite as good.

"Kimi initially jumped Lewis and then I think Lewis was trying to fight back. They both went a bit deep and I also went a bit deep.

"I don't know... I thought it was just a normal first corner."

When asked if he thought Hamilton's move was clean, the Finn replied: "I think so. I have to see it again afterwards.

"I wasn't just focussing on what they were doing I was also seeing who was behind me and who was alongside me. I was just trying to stay away from any trouble. I am not the right person to make any calls, I am just a driver, not a judge."

Kovalainen, who was a strong contender for a podium finish when his engine blew up on lap 17, shrugged off his own woe at Fuji.

"I think it was an engine failure," he said.

"I don't know what [triggered] it because the reliability has been fantastic so far this year and even last year.

"Sometimes these things happen. I just saw some pieces of metal flying from the exhaust, which is never a good sign."

F1 Drivers Championship 2008. Click here to bet.

Your Comments

Wilder

"If Heiki said anything other than the official Mclaren line, it would be like a turkey voting for X mas ...totally worthless statement."

PackageGood

"Hamiltons 1st corner move was nothing more than a desperate lunge that, as last year, exposed his inexperience and inability to think properly under pressure. Now he's bleating on about going all out for the win in China..! He needs to listen & learn. Massa should know better also, they both get what they deserved. And lets face it, it has put a little more heat into the championship..!"

Robbie08

"ronniepilgrim, you come across as having your head so far up your own backside it's no wonder you talking so much crap. Okay so Hammy, takes risks when he doesn't need to, but that doesn't mean that the whole world is biased to the guy, but i do agree with kukka that the FIA appears to show bias to Ferrari."

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