Symonds:Heikki can win this year

[davewilson]

Pat Symonds believes Heikki Kovalainen is capable of winning a race in his rookie year of Formula 1, after being impressed by the Finn’s ability during his year as Renault’s test driver.

Former GP2 runner-up Kovalainen was promoted to the world champion team’s 2007 race squad alongside Giancarlo Fisichella and will make his F1 debut at Melbourne in March.

And although Renault’s engineering director is not expecting a faultless season from the inexperienced Finn, he is predicting that he can make a significant impact during his first year in the sport.

“I’ve got no doubt about that,” Symonds said when asked if Kovalainen’s racecraft was still very much intact, at the Autosport International show on Friday.

“Perhaps a little bit rusty after a year’s testing, but I think it naturally comes back to him.

“When we’re at this stage next year and look back at 2007, I think what we will have seen is that Heikki has had some fantastic races.

“I wouldn’t put it past him to win a race this year – even as a rookie, it could happen.

“And we’re also look at some spectacular mistakes and sort of think ‘why on earth did he do that?’.

“But it’s part of the learning process.”

While he is not expected to initially take up Fernando Alonso’s mantle at Renault, the fact that Kovalainen has replaced the double world champion in the team’s line-up means he is likely to come more scrutiny than most during his first season.


But Symonds is confident that the Finnish rookie will flourish in F1, as he believes he possesses all the qualities that make a successful modern-day grand prix driver.

“I really do believe he has [a bright future],” he said.

“Over the years I have worked with a lot of good drivers; not just Fernando [Alonso], I worked with Michael [Schumacher], I worked with Ayrton [Senna], I worked with Nelson Piquet, many world champions and very, very fast drivers.

“And I guess over that time I have started to realise some of the less obvious things that make a good driver.

“And I’m really pleased that when I look at Heikki I see so many of them.”

The Stig

[Dare]

   Must really build up fisichella's ego,seems
   like everyone writes him off before the
   season even starts.I really believe if Fisi
   could have got aq top drive when he was
   younger he could have been a title contender

[davewilson]

Hi,Dare:
Yes i would imagine it is not the confidence booster he imagined.
But this year is going to be a season of unknowns.New drivers,All on same Tyre,New Cars...etc
I think it is too early to predict anything until about five or six races into the season.
Alonso has had a longer time testing his new drive than others,so i would guess he will Start where he left off,but he is in a new car.
Like i said to Ian,we will have to wait and see.

Are you a Fisi fan then  Dare?

The Stig

[Dare]

   I'm probably the only Fisichella fan in N America Stig.
   When Fisi went to Renault in 05 I really thought he
   would shine,so I'm looking at next year with crossed
   fingers as I believe it will be his last year with a
   top team

[davewilson]

Dare:
Time marches on and i agree it is make or brake season for him.But look at DC he is still there?
Long way to the Top.Harder to stay there.

The Stig

[Dare]

   Stig DC also had I believe 13 wins under
   his belt and n :)o Latin temperment

[davewilson]

Dare:
So what you are saying they are in the same boat?
The Stig

[Dare]

   No Stig I don't think their in the same
   boat,I think David's past record helped
   him stay in F1,while Fisi past doesn't
   exactly help his cause much.

   Fisi can drive with the best when things
   are going his way.Let's his emotions get
   in the way when things aren't going his
   way

[davewilson]

Dare:
See where you are coming from.
Teams hiring drivers must take these things into account though,otherwise if it was all down to temperament they would not hire him for a drive?knowing the team could be comprimised in the long run

James Hunt,comes to mind but he went on to be World Champion!!

the Stig