Heikki Kovalainen, the McLaren Mercedes driver, has been cleared to race in Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix.

Kovalainen endured a frightening high-speed crash on Lap 22 of the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya 11 days ago, when his front left wheel exploded going through turn nine.

The Finn's car buried itself and him in the tyre wall, but although he was immediately knocked unconscious he escaped with only concussion and a sore elbow. It was later established Kovalainen was travelling at 150mph when the tyre deflated before hitting the tyre wall at 80mph.

The Finn has now been passed fit to compete after passing an FIA medical held at the Istanbul Park.

An FIA statement read: "Following a medical examination this morning by the FIA medical delegate, Professor Jean-Charles Piette, and the chief medical officer of the event, Dr Cem Boneval, Heikki Kovalainen has been cleared to race in the 2008 Turkish Grand Prix."