Heikki Kovalainen isn't smiling much anymore.  McLaren will not renew his contract

A number of drivers have been linked to the Woking based team. Drivers such as Kimi Raikkonen, Nico Rosberg and lately world champion Jenson Button. According to Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug one of them, Kimi Raikkonen, is an option but not the only option for the team. "Kimi is an option, but there are lots of options around," Haug told Autosport. "One thing is for sure though - guys who are out for money are not the right ones for us - whoever it may be. "I won't name anyone, but we want to have full commitment from someone who is success-oriented, not someone saying 'I am a big name, pay me a lot of money and I will drive for you.' 

"The team has to be convinced that a driver is hungry, motivated, focused, and that his first thought is not to get more money. We have shown our level of competitiveness - Lewis has scored race wins and podiums, and beaten the guys that have been going for the title this year.

"It shows that we are going in the right direction. We have stabilized this year, and we have a seat to offer in a race-winning car. There are probably three, four, five teams maximum that can offer that."