Kovalainen named Hamilton's team-mate

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Kovalainen replaces two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who left the Woking-based squad last month after suffering an often strained relationship with the team during the 2007 season.

Kovalainen, 26, joins McLaren on what has been described as a "long-term contract" and will commence his driving duties with the team in early January.

Kovalainen's switch to McLaren had been widely expected after his former employers Renault announced on Monday that they had signed Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jnr for the 2008 season.

Kovalainen finished his debut 2007 season in seventh place in the drivers' standings, scoring his first career podium at the Japanese Grand Prix and outscoring his more experienced Renault team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella.

He becomes the third Finn to race for McLaren in a little over a decade, following in the footsteps of both Mika Hakkinen and reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen.

"I am so excited to join a team like Vodafone McLaren Mercedes," Kovalainen told the team's website, www.mclaren.com.

"So far I have been blown away by the dedication and commitment to winning which is clear through the entire organisation and I am really excited about our joint future.

"As a Finn it's an honour for me to follow in Mika and Kimi's footsteps. I haven't really spent a lot 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."