Hamilton cleared to race

McLaren confirmed on Sunday morning, July 22nd, that Lewis Hamilton has been given the all clear by medical officers to race at the European Grand Prix. Hamilton crashed during qualifying at the Nurburgring after a problem with a wheel gun meant that the right front wheel was not tightened sufficiently.

The wheel failed during his first flying lap in the last 15 minute session on Saturday and deflated the tyre; Hamilton was a passenger as the McLaren shot across the gravel and impacted heavily with a tyre barrier. He was taken to the medical centre then hospital for checks but was pronounced to be unharmed.

Hamilton had to be cleared by the medics prior to the race, which he duly was. "Vodafone McLaren Mercedes are pleased to confirm that Lewis Hamilton has been cleared to race in today's European Grand Prix by the FIA Medical Delegate Dr. Gary Hartstein and the Chief Medical Officer of the event, Dr Klaus U. Zerbian," said a statement from the team.

Hamilton was lying fifth when the accident happened but was subsequently shuffled down the order by other cars to 10th by the end of qualifying. Teammate Fernando Alonso will start from second. "The entire team looks forward to enjoying a competitive race this afternoon for both Fernando and Lewis," McLaren concluded.