Heikki Johannes Kovalainen

Heikki Johannes Kovalainen (Born on October 19, 1981 in Suomussalmi, Finland) is a Finnish Formula One racing driver currently racing for the McLaren Mercedes team. He was supported by the Renault Driver Development programme early in his racing career, during which he won the World Series by Nissan championship and finished runner-up in the GP2 series. Renault signed him on as a full-time Formula One test driver for 2006, and then promoted him to a race seat for 2007. He gained his first podium by finishing second in the Japanese Grand Prix.

He moved to McLaren for the 2008 season, where he partners Lewis Hamilton. His second season saw him achieve his first pole position at Silverstone and his first victory at Hungaroring, becoming the 100th driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix. He will stay with the team for the 2009 season.

Formula One World Championship career:

2008 team		McLaren-Mercedes
2008 car #		23
2009 team		McLaren-Mercedes
2009 car #		2
Races			35
Championships		0
Wins			1
Podiums			4
Career points		83
Pole positions		1
Fastest laps		2
First race		2007 Australian Grand Prix
First win		2008 Hungarian Grand Prix
Last race		2008 Brazilian Grand Prix
2008 position		7th (53 pts)