Zoom Less than two-weeks on, Kovalainen ready to go

Heikki Kovalainen has been cleared to take part in this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix. The McLaren Mercedes driver emerged from the medical centre this morning in Turkey giving the thumbs up to the waiting media.

Kovalainen was knocked unconscious after a wheel failure on his McLaren Mercedes sent him spearing into the tyre wall during the Spanish Grand Prix. The car was a right-off and Kovalainen was fortunate to escape without major injury.

However, as the Finn lost consciousness, he faced a fitness test this morning in Turkey ahead of the fifth round of the championship. McLaren have built up a spare tub for his use this weekend while test driver Pedro de la Rosa was ready to step in if required.

"I am obviously very pleased with the decision by the FIA Medical Team," Kovalainen said.

"I arrived here today feeling confident that I would pass the FIA test as I feel 100% and if I had not felt 100 percent I would have told the team already and stayed at home. "

"My preparation for this weekend has gone well and we have done a lot of fitness training. Obviously a big thumbs up for all the FIA safety standards and the guys in Spain who worked hard to get me out of the car safely."

"I think the accident probably looked worse than it was for me. I had a little headache but was back in training almost immediately. I now look forward to the rest of the weekend and the rest of the season."

Kovalainen is sixth in the championship standings with a best result of third position in Malaysia to his credit.

E.A. © CAPSIS International