McLaren: Heikki is fighting fit

HEIKKI KOVALAINEN

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Saturday 3rd May 2008

Heikki Kovalainen will undergo tests with specialists in Finland and a FIA evaluation next week before he is cleared to race in the Turkish GP.

The Finn has been recovering from a 140mph crash in last week's Spanish Grand Prix that saw him hospitalised.

It later emerged the McLaren driver had suffered only from concussion but the team will be taking no chances in the run-up to the next race on May 11.

McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh said: "Heikki is fighting fit. Our team doctor has kept an eye on him during the week both in Spain and then at the Kuortane Sports Institute in Finland and there has been no development of any secondary symptoms, so everything is positive on that front.

"Before traveling to Istanbul, we will organise a full neurological examination for Heikki with our specialists in Finland as a matter of course.

"He will then have the mandatory FIA evaluation on Thursday at the circuit, which is a routine neuro and physiological test completed after any concussion."

Whitmarsh added that Kovalainen is keen to get back behind the wheel.

"Of course we have a plan in place should the FIA request Heikki sits this race out, as at all grands prix, but we have a race driver who is naturally impatient to get back out there and this is the aim of the team.

"That said, we will fully respect the decision of the medical professionals, they are the specialists."

Kovalainen insists he is feeling no ill effects from his acquaintance with the Barcelona tire wall.

"I am feeling good, the stiffness in my neck has pretty much gone and I have been back training," he said.

"I left Spain on Thursday and went back to Finland, where I have spent some time working with the team doctor at our facility there on ensuring I am fit for the race.

Asked if he had any doubts about getting back into a Formula 1 car, the Finn added: "None whatsoever, I want to get back racing as soon as possible, since the accident at Barcelona it has been my only focus.

"Everyone involved in the sport, the FIA in particular, is always working on improving safety for the drivers, but Formula 1 is a risky business. You know that as a driver, but you don't think about it.

"If you worry about things like that, you lose focus; I guess it is just not in my psyche."

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