Heikki Kovalainen

In McLaren’s ‘farewell’ press release, Lewis Hamilton said his departing team-mate was “one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met”. Like compatriots Mika Hakkinen and Kimi Raikkonen, Heikki can appear quiet, subdued. But, get him talking and he’s among the chirpiest, most open, hard-thinking drivers in Formula 1. It’s clear he’s got bags of talent from second place in the inaugural GP2 Series, but Heikki hasn’t been able to show his chops in F1. Since he was up against the experienced Giancarlo Fisichella at Renault, then star-of-the-noughties Lewis Hamilton at McLaren, perhaps the comparisons are unfair. And if he can step up his game against Jarno Trulli at Lotus, it could be reset potential for a new upward curve in his career.

Stats to start of 2010

World championship titles: 0
Race wins: 1
Poles: 1
Fastest laps: 2
Debut season: 2007 (Renault)

Total points: 105
Total races: 52