Heikki Kovalainen will stay with McLaren for the upcoming season 2009. The team confirmed the 26-year old Finn as their driver today, stopping all further speculation about the McLaren-Mercedes line-up for 2009. "We welcomed Heikki on board at the start of the year”, said Chief Executive Martin Whitmarsh. “He is under contract and will race for us in the 2009 season.”

Heikki said the following during the Thursday press conference in Hungary about the renewal of his contract: “I think as far as I am concerned I have never been worried about my contractual situation. Since the beginning of my McLaren career it has been the target to extend this relationship for many, many years. I think it is just to clarify the situation for everybody of where we are at the moment. First of all I can say I am very, very happy with this team. I have had no second thoughts since I joined this team. I think there is a great potential in this team and I want to be part of it. I want to become a successful driver in this team and hopefully we can announce at some point in the future that I can stay here for many, many years. I would be happy to finish my career at this team to be honest.”