Kovalainen carves a slice of history - Heikki Kovalainen became the 100th driver to stand on the top step of a grand prix podium with his victory in Hungary on Sunday, and also joined the select band to win a race in their second season of Formula 1.The 26-year-old Finn inherited the victory after Felipe Massa’s Ferrari ground to a smoky halt with just three laps remaining.
McLaren boss Ron Dennis said the result proved the truth one of racing’s perennial clichés: “One of the oldest motor racing phrases ever coined is: ‘To finish first, first you have to finish.’ Hackneyed it may be, but it's true nonetheless.
“Even so, you have to feel sorry for Felipe, who did a very good job.
“But Heikki drove superbly, scoring his first grand prix victory in fine style and converting his excellent qualifying pace, which has been apparent all season, into a thoroughly well deserved win.
“Today was Heikki’s day, and a very good day it was, and everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is absolutely delighted for him.”
Kovalainen added: “This is a great moment for me, something I’ve been targeting for many years. Hopefully, this victory will be the first of many.”
The omens are good on that score, for amongst the select few drivers to score their first wins in their second seasons are Ayrton Senna (Portugal 1985) and Michael Schumacher (Belgium 1992).
Kovalainen’s first win came at his 28th attempt, while team mate Lewis Hamilton climbed to the top step of the podium after just six starts, in Canada last year.
But even that is nothing compared to Giancarlo Baghetti, who famously won on his grand prix debut at Reims in 1961.
The Italian proved a one-hit wonder, however, never again winning a world championship GP.
