Heikki Kovalainen ha𝔍s been officially confirmed as a McLaren-Mercedes driver for 2008, stepping into Fernando Alonso's seat for the second year in succession.

The Finn previously replaced the Spaniard at Renault for the 2007 campaign - his debut season in the top flight - and impressed by both outscoring and outperforming highly-experienced team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella en route to seventh spot in the drivers' standings, including joi๊ning ne✅w team-mate Lewis Hamilton up on the rostrum following a stirring drive to the runner-up spot in the rain-lashed Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji.

"I am so excited to join a team like Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes," Kovalainen enthused, on becoming the third Finn to move to the Woking-based outfit in recent years. "So far I have been blown away by the dedication and commitment to winning which is clear through the entire or🌊ganisation, and I am really excited about our joint future.

"As a Finn it's an honour for me to follow in Mika (Hakkinen) and Kimi (Raikkonen's) footsteps. I haven't really spent a l🌳ot of time with Lewis so far, but from what I know I think we will work well together and do our best for the team."

The 26-year-old has agreed an unspecified long-term contract with the British squad. CEO Martin Whitmarsh acknowledged much consideration had gone into determining McLaren's final 2008 line-up, which will ret♑ain Pedro de la Rosa as third driver as well as Gary Paffett, who will cont꧙inue to assist the Spaniard with the testing programme when required.

"We had a number of options 🐻open to us," Whitmarsh confirmed. "As always we want to make sure we have the most competitive driver line-up, and I think Lewi🎃s and Heikki will be a formidable combination. Both enjoyed great rookie seasons in 2007 and share a genuine passion for winning and being the best.

"Heikki made a strong impression, and Lewis' performance so far has been outstanding and speaks for itself. I am confident they will push each other on-track and work wel🐷l together off-track. In addition, with Pedro remaining our primary test-driver alongside Gary, we really have a strong package and look forward to 2008."

"Heikki is a talented driver who showed his skills during his debut season in Formula 1 this year," agreed Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice-President Norbert Haug. "Heikki's most impressive performance was in the Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji, where he finished second behind Lewis in extremely treacherous wet conditions. He is not only a quick driver but also one of the most consistent, having finished in every grand prix except the last which puts him in the top five, together with♛ our drivers who covered the most laps in 20🧸07.

"Everybody in the team is looking forwa𓆉rd to a very fruitful co-operation. Lewis and Heikki will form one of the youngest driver line-ups, and I am convinced both will be very strong and at the same time co-operative competitors༒."

Hamilton enjoyed the most successful rookie season in the history of the Formula 1 World Championship this year, courtesy of four victories, six pole positions and an incredible run of nine consecutive podiums in his first nine races. With testing of McLaren's 2008 MP4-23 challenger scheduled to begin at Jerez during the second week of January, the 22-year-old is already eagerly anticipati🎀ng his sophomor♎e campaign in the uppermost echelon.

"As soon as the chequered fꦜlag went in Brazil I began to count down the days until Australia," he confessed. "I am really looking forward to 2008 and working with Heikki as my team-mate. Together with the team we will do everything we can to ensure that our championship challenge is as strong and focused as possible.

"My first ye𒊎ar in Formula 1 was incredible, and I was so fortunate to spend it with Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes. I hope Heikki will enjoy his first year with the team as much as ꦯI did mine."