Alonso set to race in Melbourne opener

“He is physically well and I see no reason why Fernando can’t be in Melbourne."

Alonso set to race in Melbourne opener

McLaren expect Fernando Alonso to recover from Sunday’s crash in time to race in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 15.

The Spanish driver was released on Wednesday from a hospital in Barcelona having spent three days under observation after crashing his McLaren in pre-season testing in the Circuit de Catalunya.

“I can categorically confirm that he has no lesion and that he wasn’t electrocuted,” McLaren chairman Ron Dennis said on Thursday, as reported in Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

“There’s no sign that Alonso’s brain is damaged.

“Alonso is physically well and I see no reason why Fernando can’t be in Melbourne, but I’m not a doctor.

“Fernando wanted to return to testing (the car) but the doctors have told him that if he wanted to be certain, he needed to rest and have medical follow-ups.”

The 33-year-old double world champion hit the wall at turn three of the Barcelona-based circuit and McLaren believe the wind was a major factor in the crash.

“Fernando was unconscious for several seconds after impact,” Dennis revealed. “We could hear him breathing on the radio.

“In previous laps, Alonso had mentioned that turn was a complicated one because the wind affected the car.

“Nothing hit him directly and the reason for losing consciousness was due to the strong deceleration that his head had to bear after the collision.

“There is no evidence that he lost consciousness before impact.”

Media reports questioned whether Alonso had felt ill prior to the accident, something which Dennis vehemently denied.

“According to our information, Fernando was steering, hitting the breaks and changing gears before impact,” he said.

Dennis confirmed the sport’s governing body, the FIA, has launched an investigation into Alonso’s accident because of McLaren’s request to do so.

Alonso will miss this week’s final pre-season testing as the former Ferrari driver has returned to his home-town Oviedo to recover.

The Spaniard rejoined McLaren this season after a disappointing fifth and final campaign with Ferrari.

He won back-to-back world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006 before spending one season at McLaren in 2007.

Alonso has 32 career grand prix victories, the last of which came in Barcelona in 2013.

Kevin Magnussen will share testing duties with Alonso’s team-mate Jenson Button.

more courts articles

Kevin Spacey wins bid to set aside UK High Court ruling in sexual abuse claim Kevin Spacey wins bid to set aside UK High Court ruling in sexual abuse claim
Kevin Spacey could face civil trial over sexual abuse allegation Kevin Spacey could face civil trial over sexual abuse allegation
Man admits killing Irish pensioner (87) on mobility scooter in London Man admits killing Irish pensioner (87) on mobility scooter in London

More in this section

Dublin v Derry - Allianz Football League Division 1 Final Brian Fenton regrets reacting to 'hurtful, dangerous, kind of nasty' challenge against Derry
Clare v Limerick - Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 5 Declan Hannon wants to change Limerick's Ennis record
Irish Life Dublin Marathon 2023 Dublin Marathon to retain city centre start and finish
ieStyle Live 2021 Logo
ieStyle Live 2021 Logo

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited