Istanbul - McLaren-Mercedes driver Heikki Kovalainen must pass a medical check on Thursday to determine whether he is fit to race again at the Turkish Formula One Grand Prix after a crash in Spain last month. Team officials confirmed on Tuesday that Kovalainen will require the go-ahead from doctors of the ruling body FIA. He will also be examined by team doctors before travelling to the Istanbul race.
Kovalainen crashed into a tyre barrier at high speed in the April 27 race in Barcelona. He was briefly unconscious and taken to hospital, but suffered only minor injuries such as a head ache and a stiff neck.
The 26-year-old has resumed training and said he is ready to race in Istanbul.
But FIA puts safety first and requires a pre-race check. Last year the FIA doctors denied Polish driver Robert Kubica competing in Canada after he crashed in the previous race.
If Kovalainen can not race, McLaren-Mercedes will use test and reserve driver Pedro de la Rosa in his place.
