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 07 September 2008 01:59 BST

Kovalainen eager for return to racing

Saturday, 03 May 2008 12:24
Kovalainen wants to race in Istanbul next week
McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen says he is eager to return to the track despite a 150 mph crash in Barcelona last week.

The Finn was lucky to walk away relatively unscathed after his left-front tyre came away from its rim at the fastest corner on the race track, causing him to plough straight into a tyre barrier.

Kovalainen has admitted having no recollection of the crash but is nonetheless confident he will pass the necessary fitness tests and take part in next week's Turkish grand pix.

"I can't wait to get back into the car and race with the team next weekend," said Kovalainen. "But at the end of the day that decision is out of my hands, the FIA will make it based on safety grounds only.

"I want to get back racing as soon as possible, since the accident at Barcelona it has been my only focus."

The McLaren team may need to be at full strength to try and combat Ferrari – who have dominated recent races.

The Italian team currently have a 13 point advantage over McLaren in the constructors' championship while Kimi Raikkonen leads Lewis Hamilton by nine points in the drivers' championship.

Norbert Haug, president of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, admitted that although the team's car is improving it may not be possible for them to match Ferrari yet.

He said: "Our aim is to improve further over the next few races, however it is possible the Turkish Grand Prix might be a challenging race for the team.

"The team wants to score as many points as possible, but after three consecutive wins Ferrari obviously arrive here as the favourites."

Kovalainen will hope to move up from his current sixth place in the drivers' standings should he be allowed to compete in Istanbul.End of story


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