ISTANBUL, May 8, 2008 (AFP) - Finland´s Heikki Kovalainen was given the all-clear Thursday to race in this weekend´s Turkish Grand Prix following a medical examination at the Istanbul track.

The McLaren Mercedes driver, 26, was briefly knocked unconscious after being involved in a 250 kph crash at the Spanish Grand Prix 11 days ago.

"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 was cleared to race in the 2008 Turkish Grand Prix," said the FIA in a statement.

Kovalainen said after being given the all-clear: "I am obviously very pleased with the decision by the FIA Medical Team.

"I arrived here today feeling confident that I would pass the FIA test as I feel 100 per cent and if I had not felt 100 per cent I would have told the team already and stayed at home.

"My preparation for this weekend has gone well and we have done a lot of fitness training."

The McLaren driver also praised Formula One´s safety standards, but added his accident was not as bad as it looked at the time.

He added: "Obviously a big thumbs up for all the FIA safety standards and the guys in Spain who worked hard to get me out of the car safely.

"I think the accident probably looked worse than it was for me. I had a little headache, but was back in training almost immediately. I now look forward to the rest of the weekend and the rest of the season."

Kovalainen was kept in hospital overnight in Barcelona after he slammed into a tyre barrier when his left front tyre burst.