McLaren identify wheel failure cause

The British squad said that, due to a process fault during manufacture of the left front wheel, the wheel was not to specification and eventually failed.

"Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and its Official Supplier of wheels have now conducted a thorough technical investigation to determine the exact cause of the failure," the team said in a statement on Thursday.

"It has been established that, owing to a process fault during manufacture, the outer clamp surface of the wheel was given a clear lacquer coating. As a consequence of this fault, the clamp load that attached the wheel was not to specification.

"In running, the consequent loss of load caused the wheel to fret and distort, leading to its eventual failure.

"Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and the wheel supplier have now established new procedures designed to prevent a re-occurrence of this issue."

Kovalainen, who crashed at nearly 145mph, has been cleared to race at this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix.