Kovalainen offered his services to Claire

Putting his name into the hat, Heikki Kovalainen sent an email to Williams with regards to Valtteri Bottas’ vacant seat, which proved unsuccessful.

Instead, Williams decided to call Felipe Massa out of retirement to partner Lance Stroll as they didn’t want two young drivers in their cars.

"Yes, I sent Claire an email," the 35-year-old told the Finnish broadcaster MTV.

"But they had other plans. Probably many other drivers had sent the same message."

The Finn, who won the 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix with McLaren, also added that having been team-mates with Lewis Hamilton already, he feels the new Mercedes duo will work well.

"I'm not going to predict how Valtteri will go, but he is a very good driver," Kovalainen told Ilta Sanomat.

"Valtteri has sufficient ability to be at the top. I also believe the cooperation between Valtteri and Lewis will go well. Both are professional drivers.”