Heikki Johannes Kovalainen is a Finnish racing driver competing in the Japan Rally Championship for Rally Team AICELLO. He raced in Formula One between 2007 and 2013 for the Renault, McLaren, Team Lotus, Caterham and Lotus F1 teams, scoring a single victory at the 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix. After leaving Formula One, he raced in the Japanese Super GT series between 2015 and 2021, where he won the championship in 2016.
Kovalainen in 2019
Kovalainen at the 2002 Macau Grand Prix
Kovalainen testing for Renault F1 in 2006, at Valencia
Kovalainen at the 2007 Australian Grand Prix, leading Nico Rosberg
Renault, a French automobile manufacturer, has been associated with Formula One as both team owner and engine manufacturer for various periods since 1977. In 1977, the company entered Formula One as a constructor, introducing the turbo engine to Formula One with its EF1 engine. In 1983, Renault began supplying engines to other teams. Although the Renault team had won races, it withdrew at the end of 1985. Renault engines continued to be raced until 1986.
Renault 1.5-litre turbo engine
In 1979, the Renault RS10 became the first turbocharged car to win a Grand Prix.
Alain Prost finished second in the 1983 championship with the Renault RE40.
Jenson Button at the 2002 British Grand Prix