Hamilton fit to race after crash

Alan Baldwin, Reuters

NUERBURGRING, Germany, July 21 (Reuters) - McLaren cleared Lewis Hamilton to race in Sunday’s European Grand Prix after the Formula One championship leader escaped injury in a heavy qualifying crash.

"There is...absolutely no medical reason that he can’t race," McLaren team boss Ron Dennis told reporters after the 22-year-old Briton returned to the paddock from hospital on Saturday.

The rookie must however have a final check by the International Automobile Federation’s doctor on Sunday morning before being formally given the green light.

"I’m feeling fine, very fortunate, very lucky that I haven’t got any bruises. I’m sure tomorrow I’ll wake up with some bruises," Hamilton told reporters.

"The most important thing is that I’m well and the team is doing a good job to make sure we have a good car tomorrow. I have to be signed off tomorrow morning, so we have to wait and see. But I feel fine for the race. So fingers crossed."

Hamilton, 12 points clear of double world champion team mate Fernando Alonso after nine podium finishes in a row, brought qualifying to a halt when he left the track at around 260kph and ploughed into the tyre wall.

The session remained red-flagged for more than half an hour while doctors attended to him and the debris was cleared away.

Hamilton, wearing an oxygen mask and with a drip applied, waved and gave a thumbs-up sign as he was taken to a waiting ambulance.

RIGHT WHEEL

Dennis said the accident was probably caused by a faulty

wheel gun which failed to tighten a nut on the McLaren’s right front wheel.

"We were quite fortunate to be honest because the wheel nut on Fernando’s car was not properly tightened either," added the team boss.

Read Full Story at: autos.canada.com

Further Reading

Personal Website of Lewis Hamilton: www.lewishamilton.com
Lewis Hamilton at : Wikipedia
Lewis Hamilton Picture Gallery
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Official Site