Hamilton hopes he can race after crash

NUERBURGRING, Germany, July 21 (Reuters) Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton said he wanted to race in tomorrow's European Grand Prix after crashing heavily in today's qualifying.

''I'm absolutely fine and we will see later if I am able to race tomorrow,'' the McLaren driver said in a team statement after being taken to German military hospital for a precautionary CT scan.

''I really hope I can race,'' added the 22-year-old rookie.

Team boss Ron Dennis said he would be surprised if the Briton was not able to start but Hamilton would have to remain under observation for a few hours and be passed fit by the team's specialist.

''I'm pretty optimistic but I don't want to make any predictions,'' he said.

Hamilton, 12 points clear of double world champion team mate Fernando Alonso in the standings 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.

Hamilton remained in the car after the frontal impact, jiggling his legs before trying to extricate himself. He stood up in the cockpit, leaning against the airbox, but crumpled to the ground after getting out.

''The most disturbing thing was that we couldn't speak to him,'' said Dennis, who had left the pit wall immediately after the accident.

''It took us 30 to 45 seconds to realise that the radio had failed in the impact and in that period of course, if there is no dialogue, you don't get the reassurance that the driver is fine.

''We didn't know if he was exercising his legs because of pain or some other problem. It was really only when I got to the medical centre that we had a clear understanding of how he was.'' Hamilton had been fifth in qualifying when he crashed. He ended up 10th and will start in that position if given the all-clear.

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