The Finn, who joined the team at the start of the season, will therefore continue to partner Lewis Hamilton as McLaren look to forge a stable driver line-up.
McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh said: “We welcomed Heikki onboard at the start of the year.
“He is under contract to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and will race for us in the 2009 season.”
McLaren’s decision to retain Kovalainen comes in the middle of a season which has seen him largely overshadowed by Hamilton.
Whitmarsh added: “He is a brilliant young racing driver.
“His pass of Robert Kubica at Hockenheim (at the German Grand Prix) reminded anybody who needed reminding that he has all the speed and skill to be battling at the front.
“But there’s no magic in Formula One and we still need to work with Heikki to extract his full potential.”
UPDATE: August 1, 2008 02:40 am
Heikki Kovalainen on Thursday said he can imagine spending the rest of his Formula One career at McLaren.
At the Hungaroring on Thursday, the Mercedes-powered team confirmed that Kovalainen will in 2009 race for a second consecutive year second consecutive year alongside team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
The Finn’s future has been the subject of much debate in recent weeks following a less than impressive start to life with the Woking-based outfit.
“As far as I am concerned, I have never been worried about my contractual situation,” Kovalainen is quoted as saying by the official F1 website.
“Since the beginning of my McLaren career it has been the target to extend this relationship for many, many years.
“I think it is just to clarify the situation for everybody of where we are at the moment.
“First of all, I can say I am very, very happy with this team. I have had no second thoughts since I joined this team.
“I think there is a great potential in this team and I want to be part of it.
“I want to become a successful driver in this team and hopefully we can announce at some point in the future that I can stay here for manystay here for many, many years.
“I would be happy to finish my career at this team to be honest.”
