Jul.31 (GMM) Heikki Kovalainen will stay at McLaren-Mercedes in 2009, the team revealed at the Hungaroring circuit near Budapest on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Finn joined the Woking based squad this year.

His contract was for one guaranteed year, but with an option for McLaren to renew.

"We welcomed Heikki on board at the start of the year. He is under contract and will race for us in the 2009 season," chief executive Martin Whitmarsh said.

Kovalainen trails championship leader Lewis Hamilton's tally by 30 points, which had raised speculation McLaren might want to replace him for 2009.