Wilson: 'I'll be fit for Brazilian GP'

Wilson had to be lifted from his car after pulling into the pits to retire from Sunday's race after his HANS (Head And Neck Support) device worked loose and allowed his body to move around in the cockpit to the point where he suffered temporary paralysis in his arm.

He explained: "I had a scan at the hospital but there's no lasting damage. They've given me a few pain-killing injections and I have been told to take it easy for a few days. I don't see there being any problem for Brazil - I should be fit in plenty of time."

It was the first problems the rookie Brit had experienced with the HANS device. Compounding his discomfort, Wilson was also the only driver without power steering in the 20 degree Malaysian heat.

"I haven't been affected by the HANS before, but this is the longest stint I have done so far this season," Wilson added. "After my first pit stop the car had terrific front-end grip but felt loose at the back and I had to work quite hard at the wheel.

"The harder I worked, the more the belts began to slip off the HANS. Gradually they came off altogether and I started rattling around and banging my shoulders on the side of the cockpit, which was pretty excruciating. I tried to keep going but eventually the pain became too intense and I had to stop. By the time I pitted I could hardly move."

Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello gained a dispensation from race stewards to race without the HANS device, having cited evidence from FIA medical delegate Sid Watkins.