4. Heikki Kovalainen Must Prove Himself
Heikki Kovalainen returned to Formula 1 at last weekends United States Grand Prix, but an impressive qualifying was marred by an unfortunate race, and his potential was not fully realised. Having been dropped by his old team Caterham at the end of last season, Kovalainen had been out of a drive for 2013, but Kimi Raikkonens back-surgery/money-problems/early-season-end, saw the Finnish driver given an unexpected second chance this year. With Raikkonens Lotus seat needing filled, and a good driver needed to fill it, there was much speculation about who was going to get the drive. However, a late surprise contender emerged in Heikki Kovalainen, and he hopes to impress Lotus enough that he will be offered a drive in 2014. Heikki Kovalainen is not a bad driver. His career began in 2007, driving for Renault and he impressed in his debut year with a podium finish at the storm-drenched Japanese Grand Prix, finishing second in a stunning drive to Lewis Hamilton. He was taken up by McLaren as Lewis Hamiltons team mate in 2008, and achieved his first win at the Hungarian Grand Prix, as well as podium places at Malaysia and the rain-hit Italian Grand Prix. At the 2008 Italian Grand Prix, he finished second behind current-four-time-world-champion Sebastian Vettel, in what was the German drivers first win, in a Toro Rosso. Kovalainens career seemed to go down a gear from 2008. In 2009 he showed poor form all season long, and was eventually dropped by McLaren. For 2010, he took a risk joining new Team Lotus, and was a regular backmarker for three seasons. However, this year has seen his surprise return to the front, and this weekends Brazilian Grand Prix will be the ultimate proving ground. If he is to race again in 2014 and further, then he must show he still has the talent of his early F1 career. A lot of important eyes are watching him.