Kovalainen 'has no memory' of Barcelona crash
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2008 09:24
Kovalainen "cannot remember anything" from his high-speed crash
McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen has said he "cannot remember anything" from the high-speed crash at last weekend's Barcelona Grand Prix.
The Finn careered off the track at turn nine on lap 22 of the race, skimming across a gravel trap and hitting a tyre wall at an estimated 150 mph.
The team are still conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash, although technical data recovered from the car suggests a wheel rim failure of the left front was to blame.
This caused Kovalainen to experience a deceleration of 27 Gs - more than ten times the forces on astronauts during takeoff - yet he still emerged relatively unscathed with only a mild concussion.
"I have a slight headache and a stiff neck, but apart from that I am feeling well and in good spirits," he said.
"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."
On the impact itself, Kovalainen said he "doesn't remember anything from the accident or what happened afterwards".
He also expressed his thanks to all those who lent their assistance at the scene and in the hospital.