Finnish Formula One driver Heikki Kovalainen was recovering well on Monday from the spectacular crash he suffered during the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona on Sunday.
”I don’t remember anything from the accident or what happened afterwards,” Kovalainen said, in comments posted on the McLaren-Mercedes website.
The team said that the medical examination confirmed that the driver had ”no head injuries and no broken bones” as a result of the accident, and that he was set to be released late on Monday from the Hospital General de Catalunya in Sant Cugat del Valles near Barcelona.
The left front tyre of Kovalainen’s car burst, causing him to lose control and crash at high speed into a wall of tyres. The Finn was stretchered to the medical centre on the course and later airlifted to a hospital.
”The team has established that Heikki’s speed was approximately 240km/h when the tyre deflated and about 130km/h when he hit the tyre barrier,” McLaren-Mercedes said.
According to team boss Martin Whitmarsh, the accident was due to a defective alloy rim.
Kovalainen was recovering well on Monday.
”I have a slight headache and a stiff neck, but apart from that I am feeling well and in good spirits. My focus is on getting better as soon as possible, so I can pass the medical inspection required to allow me to race in Turkey,” the driver said.
McLaren-Mercedes said only that they expected Kovalainen to ”stay in Spain for a few days relaxing before returning home to start a light training programme”.
Whitmarsh said Monday that the crash left the Finn unconscious, but that he suffered no lasting damage. — Sapa-dpa