Felipe Massa has called on the FIA to look into the construction of tyre barriers at grand prix tracks after Heikki Kovalainen's Barcelona crash.

The Finn escaped serious injury when his McLaren-Mercedes speared off the circuit and into the tyre wall at high-speed in Spain.

But there were some anxious moments as the McLaren dug in under the tyres and the conveyor belt that connects them, with the car's cockpit and Kovalainen's helmet buried under the tyres.

While Massa was generally impressed with the safety facilities after Kovalainen's escape, he was concerned by the manner in which the car disappeared underneath the barriers.

"I was very pleased to hear that Heikki was okay after his accident," Massa said.

"For sure, if you have a failure on the car, there is nothing you can do as a driver.

"Given how hard the impact was and the fact that he escaped injury means the track safety features were generally the way they should be.

"And the car stood up very well too.

"The only unusual feature was that the car went under and through the tyre barrier and so did his head.

"That is a bit scary and I think the FIA should look into the construction of the whole barrier system."

Kovalainen was released from hospital the day after the crash, and is expecting to be fit to race in Turkey.

He must undergo a medical examination on the Thursday prior to the race before he can be given clearance to compete.

Source: ITV.com/F1

Front of Heikki's car after crash

KA, What can you tell us about whats happened here, to me it seems the whole pedal box is open, and his feet could of been hanging out the front, should the monocoqe failed like this? or is it understandable because of the nature of the accident?

Your views would be very helpful :)

The Australian Racing Drivers' Club is preparing to bring the Eastern Creek track near Sydney up to Formula 1 standards in case Melbourne loses the Australian Grand Prix.

The Albert Park race's future is in jeopardy because the Melbourne authorities will not agree to Bernie Ecclestone's demands that the event becomes a night race so that European television audiences can watch it live during daytime hours.

Eastern Creek - which was originally constructed in 1990 for 500cc world championship motorcycle racing and now hosts A1GP and Australian national series - would require substantial redevelopment before it could host F1.

The ARDC has commissioned British company Apex Circuit Design, the firm responsible for the Dubai Autodrome, to carry out a $350,000 feasibility study at Eastern Creek to determine whether it could host a grand prix should the race leave Melbourne after 2009.

ARDC president John Cotter described the move as "an essential first step in plans to ensure Australia remained relevant in world motorsport".

He believes it is vital that Australia remains a strong motorsport power, and is determined to keep the country on the F1 schedule.

"Strong competition from emerging nations to secure major motorsport events threatens to marginalise Australia, with a resulting loss in status and tourism potential," Cotter told the Australian Associated Press.

He added that the ARDC favoured a permanent international racing circuit rather than another temporary street track in the ****of Melbourne and its Australian GP predecessor Adelaide.

"There has been some talk of persuading the New South Wales government to spend substantial money on a non-permanent street circuit less than 20 kilometres from Eastern Creek Raceway, a model similar to that of Melbourne's Albert Park F1 track and the Surfers Paradise IndyCar track," Cotter said.

"Both are used only once a year with large set-up and deconstruction costs.

"The ARDC believes a permanent motorsport complex would be a far more cost-effective proposition, and be far more useful."

Edit: Damn GS and its odd thinking of swear words

Source: ITV.com/F1