Jul.9 (GMM) Heikki Kovalainen appears likely to stay with Team Lotus in 2012.

When asked at Silverstone if he has thought about the green liveried team's 2012 driver lineup, owner and boss Tony Fernandes answered: "No we haven't, it's still very early days."

But the Malaysian millionaire opened up some more to the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat.

Asked how likely a new deal for Finn Kovalainen is, Fernandes answered: "It is very likely.

"Heikki is a consistent performer and always gets 100 per cent from the car. He gives a lot of energy to the team.

"Heikki has become a good friend, so if he is satisfied with us, I see no reason to change."

Turun Sanomat also asked Fernandes if Kovalainen is as popular within Team Lotus as Fernando Alonso is at Ferrari.

"Yes, definitely -- although I don't know exactly how popular Fernando is at Ferrari," he laughed.

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