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    • Heikki Kovalainen Suffers High-Speed Incident

    Posted on April 27th, 2008 by Oliver White in 2008 Season

    On lap 22 McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen appeared to suffer some kind of failure on his MP4-23. At turn 8 his car started to turn into the right-hander, but then straightened up and shot over the gravel and contacted the tyre-barrier. The impact speed looked high (140mph according to ITV) and Kovalainen did not immediately jump out of the McLaren.

    The safety car was immediately deployed with the Medical car in tow. Marshals swarmed over the McLaren trying to assess Heikki’s condition, but from the camera view, the McLaren went very deep into the barrier.

    The doctors are suggesting that Kovalainen is okay. One said Heikki said he was fine, and another says he is 100% okay. We await official word though.

    Heikki was stretchered away, waving to the crowds and giving the thumbs up. From the replay shown, it appears the Finn has a deflated front-left tyre. McLaren still don’t know exactly what has happened, but have suggested a stone got between the rim and tyre and caused the tyre to let go.

    Currently, Kovalainen is being flown by helicopter to hospital for checks. Although his legs don’t appear to have been strapped and set, indicating no broken bones.

    I will post more news when it becomes available.

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    6 Trackbacks For This Post

    1. Spain 2008: Race Result » BlogF1

      April 27th, 2008 - 2:45pm

      [...] Kimi Raikkonen has led home a one-two finish for Ferrari. In what was an eventful race for Barcelona, the grand prix was ultimately a little dull in comparison to others on the calendar. However, Raikkonen now extends his lead in the drivers championship, and Massa collected a much needed eight points from second. Unfortunately Fernando Alonso was forced to pull his Renault over to the side of the circuit, his engine suffering a rare failure. Lewis Hamilton collected third but all eyes were on his team mate, Heikki Kovalainen, who was flown to hospital after a high-speed accident. So far, it appears as though Heikki is fine. [...]

    2. Spain 2008: Kimi Extends While McLaren & BMW Faulter » BlogF1

      April 27th, 2008 - 4:34pm

      [...] second safety car period came on lap 22 has Heikki Kovalainen’s McLaren was buried deep in the tyre barrier. From the replays, it showed the front-left tyre deflate quickly, causing the Finn to spear off the [...]

    3. McLaren Conclude Investigation Into Heikki’s Shunt » BlogF1

      May 8th, 2008 - 3:44pm

      [...] have announced the reason for Heikki Kovalainen’s big accident at the recent Spanish Grand Prix. The Woking-based squad, along with their wheel supplier have [...]

    4. Why Drivers Take Their Hands Off The Wheel In An Accident » BlogF1

      June 26th, 2008 - 2:23pm

      [...] generally near the wheel, bones can very easily be broken, from fingers and thumbs to wrists. When Heikki Kovalainen went off during the Spanish Grand Prix earlier in the season, the video clearly shows the Finn releasing his grip moments before impact. [...]

    5. Felipe Massa Crashes Out Of Qualifying » BlogF1

      July 25th, 2009 - 1:58pm

      [...] year, Heikki Kovalainen went in deep in to a barrier at Spain, but was deemed fit to race at the following [...]

    6. Hungary 2009: Massa Rests His Weary Head After Successful Surgery » BlogF1

      July 25th, 2009 - 7:53pm

      [...] 2008, Heikki Kovalainen suffered a high-speed tyre barrier impact in Barcelona during the Spanish Grand Prix. Although the Finn was uninjured, he did suffer [...]

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