Kovalainen shows he is no Badoer

Stand-ins are usually on a hiding to nothing in Formula 1. So while Heikki Kovalainen might have missed the points as his new team-mate claimed second, EDD STRAW argues the Finn did a fine job

Those sympathetic to reserve driver Davide Valsecchi being passed over as Kimi Raikkonen's stand-in will cite Heikki Kovalainen's 14th place in the United States Grand Prix as evidence that Lotus made the wrong decision.

But the Finn was on course for a points finish, perhaps eighth place, when a front wing problem robbed him of downforce. Those who would point to the fact that the sister Lotus of Romain Grosjean finished a strong second, making Kovalainen's performance look mediocre in comparison, fail to realise just how difficult it is to flourish in such a situation.

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