Why didn't McLaren just sign Kovalainen?

They didn't go back to Kovalainen because they already know how good (bad) he is, and how good he is ever likely to be. At this stage of their respective careers he might have been more consistent than Perez, but McLaren need to look at future potential too...and Kovy doesn't have very much developing left to do.

I don't think it's just the drivers: Button had some good results throughout his McLaren years, especially in 2011, I think he shown he's a really good driver, and Perez too had some good results last years driving for Sauber.

Kovalainen was at McLaren in 2008 and 2009 and I don't think he deserves that seat more than Perez. In 2009 McLaren struggled to beat Ferrari in the constructor standings, while Hamilton and Raikkonen had almost the same points (Hamilton 49, Raikkonen 48) and for the second half of the season only one of the Ferrari drivers brought points.

I don't really see how Kovalainen could be better than Perez this year. I think Kovalainen could do something good in a mid grid team, but not in a top team.

What good would Kovalainen do? He won one race and that was pure luck. Perez however came close last year, not through pure luck, but by his incredible talent. Plus, he is younger than Kovalainen. Perez was a decent choice for McLaren to be honest.

Button had problems setting the car up last year yet finished just 2 points behind Hamilton by the end of the season. This year, the car is ****. And I really don't understand why people are moaning about Perez being in a big team like McLaren. He's good, he's quick and will improve more over time. Also, some of us often moan about big teams not signing drivers with little experience or only a few seasons under their belts and the moment a big team signs such a driver, we moan at them signing the inexperienced driver.

Money. Perez has Telmex sponsoring him, unfortunately for Kovalainen he doesn't have that kind of money behind him. This is the last year Vodafone will be sponsoring McLaren, Telmex may take on the role as sponsor.

Absolutely agree with the answers above, with more emphasis on the fact that Kovalainen has admitted himself that he has no budget to offer.

Button always has problems setting the car up and excuses for his lack of speed. Last year, Button finished just 2 points behind Hamilton because Hamilton had mechanical problems and other unfortunate issues. The whole world saw that...Besides, Button is the oldest driver on the grid and should be replaced. However, he is one smooth operator... i'll give him that much.

kovalainen proved that he is a good driver, but not the super talent he was once percieved to be. if you really want to sign a top driver, pick hülkenberg, mark my words, he'll win a lot of races, once he's in a top car.

on a similar time as Kovalainen by no potential confirmed the blinding velocity that the wonderful echelon is able to, he grow to be between the speedier drivers on the grid. however the foremost concern grow to be one in each and every of money. except you're between the wonderful drivers (Hamilton, Button, Alonso, Vettel) you are able to desire to hold super chunks of sponsorship funds with you. Kovalainen did not have the funds to hold, so he have been given replaced with somebody who did.