With almost every F1 driver apparently doing a Kubica and losing weight for the coming season, Heikki Kovalainen has dared to be different by actually gaining weight. According to a minor item on F1-Live, Heikki has added a solid 4.5kg (10lbs) through hard training over the winter. The 174cm (5'8") driver now weighs in at 65kg (143lb) and says he feels much better for it.
Heikki Kovalainen and the McLaren MP4-24
That last is the clue to a possible disadvantage awaiting those who happily copied Robert Kubica's much-publicized loss of weight over the winter of 2007/2008. Muscle weight can have a lot to do with stamina and some drivers may find themselves running out of steam towards the end of races this year, especially as the cars are likely to be more demanding with the decrease in rear end grip.
Kubica's weight loss may or may not have had anything to do with his excellent form through 2008; probably more influential in gaining Robert the spotlight were the problems encountered by his team mate, Nick Heidfeld. It is doubtful, anyway, that losing a few kilos makes much difference in a driver's performance and Heikki needs to be applauded for realizing that there are more important matters involved than a slight difference in the ballast available to the engineers.
McLaren's current difficulties with the MP4-24 are unlikely to be solved by having a little more ballast to play with - the problem is aerodynamic and concerns either the diffuser or the rear wing. His team mate, Lewis Hamilton, weighs 64kg so it wasn't weight that made the difference between them in 2008!
Heikki has been realistic in attending to the one area, stamina, where he feels he may have had a weakness last year and I, for one, think that we will see a much more determined and competitive Kovalainen this season. Good on yer, Heikki!