[MP+4]

For the past few weeks I've heard some drivers being slaughtered for their performances - namely Heidfeld and Massa - yet these two are not doing a bad job and Massa could still win the WDC and Heidfeld finish 'best of the rest'.

What I cannot believe is that nowhere is their any criticism of the driver who is underperforming most this season - Kovalainen. Yes he has been unlucky - but you make your own luck. He has only one podium this year despite being in arguably the best car on the grid.

Maybe I'm being harsh, but does anyone else think that Kubica might replace him at McLaren next year? Lewis likes him so maybe a good team there and Heikki could BMW's number 1 driver to take them upwards.

Your thoughts:

[WhiliaStelt]

Heikki hasn't been getting as good results as I expeted, altough he hasn't been lucky either, He's had more than his share of mechanical problems this year.

If you compare his situation to Massa or Heidfeld he has one redeeming factor on his side, he hasn't been in the team that long. As for Kubica, I can't see BMW giving him to another team in the near future.

[leahjhburton]

For the past few weeks I've heard some drivers being slaughtered for their performances - namely Heidfeld and Massa - yet these two are not doing a bad job and Massa could still win the WDC and Heidfeld finish 'best of the rest'.

What I cannot believe is that nowhere is their any criticism of the driver who is underperforming most this season - Kovalainen. Yes he has been unlucky - but you make your own luck. He has only one podium this year despite being in arguably the best car on the grid.

Maybe I'm being harsh, but does anyone else think that Kubica might replace him at McLaren next year? Lewis likes him so maybe a good team there and Heikki could BMW's number 1 driver to take them upwards.

Your thoughts:

While Heidfeld is driving for BMW and Massa for Ferrari, Kovalainen is driving for McLaren, and McLaren fans though they would happily slain any other teams drivers will not do it with the McLaren ones, that's all.

[tiereenny]

Kubica will stay at BMW or move to Ferrari.

As for Heikki - boned by the safety car rule in Australia. The Malaysia penalty plus the fact that the Ferraris and Kubica were faster meant that 3rd was the best he could do.
Bahrain - McLaren was worryingly the 3rd best car on the grid. 5th.
Spain - wheel failure.
Turkey - outqualified Hamilton but had the puncture.
Monaco - had to change steering wheels, so that put him at a disadvantage.
Canada saw him drive a poor race.

I'll reserve my judgement for a few more races.

[WhiliaStelt]

While Heidfeld is driving for BMW and Massa for Ferrari, Kovalainen is driving for McLaren, and McLaren fans though they would happily slain any other teams drivers will not do it with the McLaren ones, that's all.

How many *McLaren fans* are putting Heidfeld down? I thought only the red team's supporters have strong emotions about him.

[Saduyre9de]

If we accept Heikki is underperforming why would BMW want to release Kubica, who is currently leading the WDC in the third best car on the grid, and replace him with an underperforming driver?

That said, while Heikki may not be up there with Hamilton in the standings I do think he will come good and prove to be a very good signing for McLaren. The driver pairing they have at the moment is a strong one that is only likely to get stronger.

Given that BMW's aim is to be challenging for the title in 2009 it's hard to see them releasing Kubica, and there's little reason for him to leave given the teams progress.

[leahjhburton]

How many *McLaren fans* are putting Heidfeld down? I thought only the red team's supporters have strong emotions about him.

Where did I ever wrote negative posts about Heidfeld?!

[trowUrillioth]

BMW will surpass mercedes like they always do in real life so kubica won't be leaving for sour puss's team. The world economy will put this whole series in the sh!tter unless you want to start the abra kadabra series

[MP+4]

You say BMW won't let Kubica go, but they are not YET a great team and McLaren are currently better.

Kubica might want to join Lewis as well.

[ticfarentibia]

Kovalainen is a great driver who is certainly underperforming at the moment. However I firmly believe that he will come good as soon as he gets some luck and I think that by the end of the season he will be above Kubica.

I remember watching Heikki in Formula Renault and he reminded me a lot of a certain other Finnish Formula 1 driver whose name I also struggle to spell. Think he might have done alright for himself though, he is World Champion after all

[gennnniiikk]

You say BMW won't let Kubica go, but they are not YET a great team and McLaren are currently better.

Kubica might want to join Lewis as well.

First... BMW has already moved up to the third best team on the grid.

Secondly, why would Kubica want to leave BMW... where he is their number One driver, to join McLaren... who has LH as their top driver?

IMO... Kubica moving from BMW to McLaren or even Ferrari (as long as Kimi is there) doesn't make sense.

[MP+4]

McLaren or Ferrari would give Kubica a chance to become a legend.

With BMW he is unlikely to become a legend soon because as good as they are, it will be a couple of years before BMW are capable of winning races without other people crashing.

Just my opinion...

[gennickhif]

Back on topic...
I reckon McLaren (esp LH) are quite happy with HK's performance. His results aren't that impressive so far due to bad luck and perhaps one poor performance on the driver's behalf. And the signs are good that he will continue to be the #2 driver for McLaren (no driver vs driver issues in that team!)
Although McLaren might have wished for more points out of their #2 driver, his results have made it easier for the team's big decisions.
When is Ferdi going to start mixing it with the big teams?

[FetMiddle]

I don't know, for how long will the rumours about Kubica's departure from BMW persist. I can see exactly zero reasons, why he should leave this team. BMW has been getting stronger every year. He might start winning titles soon in that team.

As for Heikki - let's give him a few more races to give an accurate judgement. I think by raw pace - especially in qualifying - he has been doing very well compared to Lewis. Montreal seemed like a one-off. Btw, I actually don't think McLaren is the best car this season, more likely it's Ferrari - it might sound amazing to some, but I think Ferrari had the best package even at Montreal, but simply Lewis and Robert were performing superbly by outpacing the Ferraris.

[HaroldMY]

Where did I ever wrote negative posts about Heidfeld?!

I have taken that honour on my shoulders!

[rxnixoncom]

I just wouldn't be Mclaren without a fast but unlucky Finn......

[NicolasOL]

Kubica is going nowhere. His hopes are firmly tied to BMW

As to Heikki, yes it's been a bit disappointing so far, unlucky or not. But he does have some serious pace, which unfortunately doesn't last for a whole race. Hopefully from here on out, he will be mixing it up for points podiums and top 5 finishes. I fully expect him to do much better in the upcoming races.

[MortgFinsJohnQ]

If we accept Heikki is underperforming why would BMW want to release Kubica, who is currently leading the WDC in the third best car on the grid, and replace him with an underperforming driver?

This assumes that Hamilton or Raikkonen or Massa couldn't drive the Sauber BMW 2 or 3 tenths faster than Kubica. Then people would be talking about the BMW as if it was the best car.

The driver and car are a package and the package is maybe 2 or 3 tenths slower on average than the fastest but they currently lead the world championship. For all anyone knows the BMW could be the fastest.

[Saduyre9de]

For all anyone knows the BMW could be the fastest.

That's true

[saerensenatljn]

Give Kovi some time. He had a poor race in Canada, but other than that it has been a case of pure bad luck for his this season. Give him some time and he'll be there right with Hamilton both in raw speed and finishes.