Mar.12 (GMM) Heikki Kovalainen on Wednesday said his goal for his opening race for McLaren is not to win pole or even fight for "a top position".
Many believe that, while Ferrari's F2008 might ultimately be the quickest car, the 2008-spec McLaren is set to run the Italian team close this year -- and may even have the edge over a single qualifying lap.But as he prepares to start the season as title protagonist Lewis Hamilton's new teammate, Kovalainen reported that he is not eyeing top spot at Albert Park."I need to do many things correctly and I'm certainly not aiming for pole position in Melbourne," he told the British news agency Reuters on Wednesday, at the scene of his dreadful first grand prix for Renault in Australia 12 months ago.Kovalainen, who is 26, suggests that - although no longer a rookie - he is still adjusting to life in his new surroundings."I need all weekend to work better with my engineers, my mechanics, the whole team to make sure the car is well set up and I am full of confidence for qualifying and the race," he added."Hopefully towards the end of the season I can fight for the top positions and if things go well, even early on."But for the moment the priority is just to start better than last year and not aim for pole," Kovalainen said.
