Jul.6 (GMM) Pole sitter Heikki Kovalainen's disappointing run to fifth place at Silverstone was not helped by the "psychological" blow early in the race dealt by his McLaren teammate.

That was the opinion on Sunday afternoon of Norbert Haug, boss of the team's engine partner Mercedes-Benz.

Kovalainen led the field on the first lap but was immediately under pressure from teammate Lewis Hamilton, who not only passed the Finn but by the chequered flag had lapped him.

"Heikki had problems with his (car) setup," Haug explained to German broadcaster RTL.

"It was perhaps better for the qualifying lap, but he complained the whole race about the rear of his car and that he could not push as he wanted.

"I think that, when Lewis overtook him, it also affected him a little psychologically," Haug acknowledged.

Kovalainen, who spun a couple of times during the British grand prix, was capable of finishing second, Haug added.