Zoom Anyone who has a bad back will certainly have sympathy for Ron Dennis

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton was apparently not the only high-profile McLaren member who struggled through the European Grand Prix at Valencia.

Hamilton said after finishing second at the Spanish street circuit that he nearly had to miss the race with 'flu and neck spasms.

But team doctor Aki Hintsa also had to administer painkillers to treat boss Ron Dennis' bad back, the website of the British broadcaster ITV reports on Wednesday.

Hamilton, meanwhile, said before leaving the port city that he is confident his troubles will be resolved prior to the forthcoming Belgian Grand Prix, which is to be staged back-to-back with the subsequent race at Monza.

On Wednesday, F1 teams began testing at the latter high-speed Italian circuit, and McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh on Wednesday said the British driver is expected to be fit to drive later this week.

Heikki Kovalainen was in action at the wheel of the sole MP4-23 on the first day.

Source: GMM
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