Kovalainen

There were problems at the back of the grid, however, as Heikki Kovalainen of Lotus had to retire before the start with a gearbox problem, and HRT driver Bruno Senna slid into a tire wall for an early exit.

Mark Webber leads Red Bull to victory at F1's Spanish GP 2010

McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen retired in the 36th lap after bursting a tire in a collision with Toro Rosso's Sebastien Bourdais, who was trying to pass him but lost his front wing and also went out of the race.

Vettel wins as Red Bull dominates British Grand Prix 2009

Sutton Motorsports/ZUMApress. com Formula One driver Heikki Kovalainen of Finland was forced to leave the final lap of the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday when the rear half of his race car caught fire.

Sports Snapshots 2010

Now Digger has been reliably informed by F1 sources that Heikki Kovalainen, left, took up the role during a Top Gear testing at Renault's base.

Who is The Stig? 2008

"It is very different from my time at McLaren," says Kovalainen, whose biggest impact – literally – this season came in Valencia when Mark Webber's Red Bull ran into the back of him and flew high into the air like a performing seal.

Lotus conjure memories of Sixties' heyday with return to Silverstone Paul Weaver at Silverstone 2010

But Kovalainen did not blame the difference in the speed of the cars, either.

'I'm lucky to be in one piece,' admits Mark Webber after 190mph crash Paul Weaver in Valencia 2010

Kovalainen did not attach any blame to the Australian for the dramatic incident.

'I'm lucky to be in one piece,' admits Mark Webber after 190mph crash Paul Weaver in Valencia 2010

Now Digger has been reliably informed by F1 sources that Heikki Kovalainen, left, took up the role during a Top Gear testing at Renault's base.

Archive 2008-12-01 2008

Kovalainen denied he was to blame for the incident, insisting he was just defending his position when Webber ran into him.

'I'm lucky to be in one piece,' admits Mark Webber after 190mph crash Paul Weaver in Valencia 2010

But Kovalainen has been the best driver among the new teams.

Lotus conjure memories of Sixties' heyday with return to Silverstone Paul Weaver at Silverstone 2010