From GMM

Finnish Formula 1 driver Heikki Kovalainen today played down reports that his McLaren-Mercedes tenure could end at the conclusion of the 2008 season.

This year is only the 26-year-old's first season with the Mercedes-powered team.

But speculation this week, spurred on by comments made by Williams test driver Nico Hulkenberg's manager Willi Weber, suggested he may be part of a seat reshuffle for 2009, involving Nico Rosberg moving up to McLaren.

Weber suggested Kovalainen would in 2009 return to Renault, with whom he made his grand prix debut last year.

"Willi Weber has nothing to do with my management," Kovalainen made clear on Thursday, on the eve of the German grand prix.

"I don't think he knows anything about my contract situation. All I can say is I am happy with my situation and would like to remain (at McLaren) for a long time," he added.

Martin Whitmarsh, Woking based McLaren's chief executive, added to this in Hockenheim: "We can confirm we have not had any contact with Nico Rosberg, or with his management, about him driving for us in 2009."