Jan.18 (GMM) Heikki Kovalainen says McLaren will help him to become a better driver than he was at Renault last year.

After a disappointing start to his F1 career as a rookie in 2007, the promising Finn improved steadily throughout the season but was replaced for 2008 by the Brazilian youngster Nelson Piquet Jr.

Kovalainen, who is 26, has been signed by McLaren to fill the race seat alongside Lewis Hamilton that was occupied last year by departed twice world champion Fernando Alonso.

He revealed that he has made some fundamental changes to his personal preparations since leaving the French team.

"I wasn't spending enough time with the (Renault) team so as soon as I joined McLaren we straight away made changes to my fitness programme; we started working on making me a better athlete," Kovalainen said.

"Already I have changed many things and I will be a much better driver when I go to Melbourne compared to last year," he added.

Kovalainen also said McLaren's single seater is better in every area than the Renault he drove in 2007.

"This car just has more mechanical grip everywhere," he revealed.

"There is no one magic thing, it all just adds up over the lap and I can feel the difference everywhere."