Kovalainen: starts second

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Heikki Kovalainen reckons the bang on the head he received in the Spanish Grand Prix two weeks' ago might actually have done him more good than harm.

The Finn was speaking after qualifying second on the grid for Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix, a career-best for Kovalainen and also one place ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

His achievement came 13 days after he was knocked unconscious at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, Kovalainen's car suffering a left-front wheel failure before ploughing head-first through a barrier at 140 mph.

Kovalainen suffered only concussion and a headache following the accident and was cleared to race this weekend following a stringent medical examination conducted by the FIA on Thursday.

Comeback

He then sealed his comeback by lapping just 0.191 seconds slower than polesitter Felipe Massa and 0.115secs ahead of Hamilton.

When it was suggested to Kovalainen he had bounced back stronger after his accident, he joked: "Maybe it was good to get a hit on the head in Barcelona!"

He then added: "It's a pleasure to start on the front row because it's been a bit of a rollercoaster the last couple of weeks after my big accident in Spain.

"I was very lucky to survive without any injuries, which was great news and shows just what the FIA has done in the past to improve safety.

"But I have felt happy all the way through the weekend. The most important thing is arriving here I felt 100 percent fit. I would not have come here if that had not been the case.

"Hopefully I can have a very good race from this position, my best in Formula One. It's looking good at the moment.

"Of course it's better to be on pole, then I'd be happier, but at least second is better than anywhere behind."

Closing the gap?

With reigning World Champion and current points leader Kimi Raikkonen fourth on the grid, Kovalainen also expressed his hope that McLaren might have closed the gap on their rivals Ferrari this weekend.

"From what we have seen it looks like we are closer," he added.

"Having said that we know Ferrari are always going to be strong, whether it's in practice, qualifying or a race.

"The other teams are also still going to be strong, so we can't take anything for granted. We just have to push to the maximum.

"But the feeling this weekend is that we are closer."