Kovalainen – I will try to beat Hamilton (Yeah right)

Heikki Kovalainen says he will try to beat Hamilton to cover up for the fact that he is the designated Number 2 at McLaren. He will not beat Hamilton unless Hamilton has a problem

(GMM) Heikki Kovalainen on Saturday said he will try to win the Hungarian grand prix, despite suggestions he is now merely supporting teammate Lewis Hamilton's title push.

The Finn qualified his McLaren behind championship leader Hamilton at the Hungaroring, raising the possibility he will simply defend the Briton's rear wing on Sunday and dutifully follow him home.

Kovalainen lies 30 points behind Hamilton in the drivers' chase, while Hamilton is just four and seven points ahead of the Ferrari duo.

"I will attack tomorrow as much as I can at the start and we will see how it works out," Kovalainen, who qualified ahead of Hamilton's current main title rival Felipe Massa, said.

"Ideally I can push Lewis and keep Felipe behind me. I will fight with Lewis, try to pass him, and of course he will try to defend," he added.

Kovalainen insists, however, that the two occupants of the silver MP4-23s – which is clearly the fastest car this weekend in Hungary – will be clever about the quest for a team one-two.

"We will respect each other because at the end of the day we are employed by the team, and we will try to do our best for the team," he said.

Two weeks ago at Hockenheim, following the safety car shuffle, Kovalainen moved aside for Hamilton as the fast Briton carved his way back to the front.

But Kovalainen says he is free to race.

"Like you saw at Silverstone, we do race, but we also know where the limit is, and that's how it is for all the guys at the top of formula one," he explained.