Planet-F1

Crash brings back bad memories for Lewis

Sunday 27th April 2008

Lewis Hamilton says Heikki Kovalainen's 140mph crash during the Spanish Grand Prix was reminiscent of the accident he was involved in during qualifying for last year's European Grand Prix.

Kovalainen suffered nothing more than concussion after ploughing into a tyre wall nose at Turn Nine on Lap 22 after a part of the car broke off, which instantly led to the front-left tyre deflating.

The Finn was airlifted to hospital for precautionary checks, and Hamilton says the crash reminded him of his accident in Nurburgring

"I am glad for Heikki that he is okay," Hamilton said.

"I came past and saw there was a car in the wall and it just looked red and didn't know if it is was us or one of the Ferraris, but I saw a glimpse of the footage on the TV and it was reminiscent of my experience at the Nurburgring.

"The team told me it was Heikki and Ron [Dennis] came on the radio and said he was okay but slightly concussed. I am sure he will bounce back."

The Brit says thoughts that the same thing might happen to his car didn't cross his mind.

"No, I think if you have those problems... if you let those things get to your mind you are in trouble," he said.

"That would put you in the wrong position, it didn't cross my mind once, we did a great job, the car was reliable and we were able to keep pushing."