Kovalainen to race in Turkey despite Barca crash
Monday, 28 Apr 2008 13:09
Heikki Kovalainen expected to be fit for Turkish Grand Prix
McLaren boss Ron Dennis has said Heikki Kovalainen is likely to be fit for the Turkish Grand Prix in two weeks' time despite suffering a heavy crash in Barcelona.
The Finn experienced what is thought to have been a wheel rim failure, according to the latest reports from McLaren, and hit the tyre barrier at the Campsa corner on lap 22.
It is estimated Kovalainen was travelling at over 150 miles per hour on impact, although he escaped with only a concussion.
Dennis, who admitted he was worried for his young driver's safety when he witnessed the crash, explained that a CT scan taken in hospital yesterday had revealed no broken bones or serious injuries.
He also said Kovalainen was conscious and expected him to race in Turkey in a fortnight's time, despite being kept in hospital overnight for observation.
"I am extremely pleased to be able to report that he is safe and well," Dennis said.
"The team is optimistic that he will make a full recovery over the next few days.
"Subject to the results of an FIA medical examination we hope that he will be able to compete in the Turkish Grand Prix."
Dennis said the accident was caused by "a sudden tyre deflation", adding it was "still too early" to identify what triggered this.
However, he suggested that the evidence points to a failure in the wheel rim, possibly involving a foreign object such as a stone becoming wedged next to the tyre.
Kovalainen's team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who finished the race in third place behind the Ferrari duo of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, said he is "really happy to hear Heikki is OK".
"During the race I saw a car had gone into the barriers and was told it was Heikki," he added.
"As soon as the team knew he was OK, Ron came on the radio and told me, which was a great relief."