Heikki Kovalainen has revealed he has no memory of his horror smash in yesterday's Spanish Grand Prix. The Finn remarkably escaped unhurt after ploughing nose first into a tyre wall at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, destroying the front end of his McLaren.

Kovalainen was immediately knocked unconscious by the force of the impact, and after being removed from the wreckage, was taken to the nearby Hospital General de Catalunya in Sant Cugat del Valles.

He underwent a series of CT scans both yesterday and again today after remaining in hospital overnight for observation.

The 27-year-old has been given the all clear and is due to be released later today before remaining in Spain for a few days relaxation.

"I don't remember anything from the accident or what happened afterwards," he said. "But I would obviously like to thank all the circuit emergency staff, the FIA medical team at the track and the doctors at the hospital for all their efforts in looking after me.

"Also thank you for all the messages I have received. They all mean a lot."

Kovalainen is now anxious to return to the cockpit as soon as possible, with the hope he passes an FIA medical examination to race in the Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul in 13 days' time.

"I have a slight headache and a stiff neck, but apart from that I am feeling well and in good spirits," he said. "My focus is on getting better as soon as possible so I can pass the FIA medical inspection required to allow me to race in Turkey."

McLaren are currently conducting an investigation into what led to a failure of the left-wheel rim and an immediate deflation of the tyre.

The team has established Kovalainen was travelling at 150mph when the tyre deflated before hitting the barrier at 80mph.

"The team told me the left-front wheel rim might have broken which could have led to the sudden deflation of the tyre," he added. "However, we have to wait for further inspections to be able to confirm the exact cause. What is especially important is the fact the monocoque withstood the heavy impact, so credit should also be given to everyone at McLaren for that."

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren's CEO, believes a stone may have worked its way inside the rim.

"It's possible, but we still have to analyse that," he said. "It was a new wheel and we don't think it was a structural failure. There were some score marks, but we don't know whether they were caused by debris or by his trip across the gravel trap. We've got to answer that later."

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