Kovalainen: Fighting fit

I don't remember anything from the accident or what happened afterwards - I would obviously like to thank all the circuit emergency staff, the FIA medical team at the track and the doctors at the hospital for all their efforts in looking after me.

Heikki Kovalainen
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McLaren racer Heikki Kovalainen has revealed he does not remember his horrific accident during Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

Kovalainen remarkably escaped unhurt after ploughing nose first into a tyre wall at around 80mph on the Barcelona circuit.

The front end of his McLaren was left in tatters, yet despite the heart stopping moment the Finn escaped virtually unscathed after being knocked unconscious on impact.

After being removed from the wreckage, Kovalainen was taken to the nearby Hospital General de Catalunya where he underwent a series of CT scans.

The 27-year-old has been given the all clear and has now signalled his intent to make a swift return to the cockpit as he hopes to be fit in time to compete in the Turkish Grand Prix in 13 days time.

No recall

"I have a slight headache and a stiff neck, but apart from that I am feeling well and in good spirits," said Kovalainen.

"My focus is on getting better as soon as possible so I can pass the FIA medical inspection required to allow me to race in Turkey."

Although Kovalainen is looking forward, he revealed he has no recall of what unfolded on lap 21 of Sunday's race.

"I don't remember anything from the accident or what happened afterwards," added Kovalainen.

"But I would obviously like to thank all the circuit emergency staff, the FIA medical team at the track and the doctors at the hospital for all their efforts in looking after me.

"Also thank you for all the messages I have received. They all mean a lot."

Inspections

McLaren are currently investigating what caused the accident after the left-wheel rim failed and the tyre immediately deflated.

"The team told me the left-front wheel rim might have broken which could have led to the sudden deflation of the tyre," said Kovalainen.

"However, we have to wait for further inspections to be able to confirm the exact cause.

"What is especially important is the fact the monocoque withstood the heavy impact, so credit should also be given to everyone at McLaren for that."

McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh believes a stone may have worked its way inside the rim.

"It's possible, but we still have to analyse that," said Whitmarsh.

"It was a new wheel and we don't think it was a structural failure.

"There were some score marks, but we don't know whether they were caused by debris or by his trip across the gravel trap. We've got to answer that later."