Alonso Chinese Grand Prix in Doubt

Alonso awaits Chinese news - Getty Images

Fernando Alonso has said his participation at this week’s Chinese Grand Prix remains in doubt.

The Spaniard, who sustained fractured ribs in his huge crash at the Australian Grand Prix in March, was sidelined for the last race in Bahrain after he failed an FIA medical test. Alonso will undergo further scans by the sport’s governing body on Thursday to determine whether he will be fit to race in Shanghai.

“It was disappointing to be told I couldn’t race in Bahrain, but I fully respected the decision of the FIA medical team,” said Alonso.

“While I hope I’ll be back in the cockpit on Friday, until I get the all-clear from the doctors to race – whenever that may be – we cannot assume anything, but I’m continuing to prepare for the race weekend as normal.”

Alonso has updated his fans on social media with his progress since Bahrain, posting pictures of himself in training and one of him using a bone-healing ultrasound system on his injured ribs. He was replaced in Bahrain by Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren’s reserve driver, who out-qualified Jenson Button before scoring the team’s first point of the season after he crossed the line in 10th.

Alonso continued: “Stoffel did a great job in Bahrain and although Jenson suffered reliability issues, it was positive to see that both cars ran quite strongly during the weekend.

“It was also interesting for me to see the race weekend unfold from a different perspective, which helped me to understand everything that goes into getting the cars on track and learn a lot about the different processes, although I’d still prefer to be racing.

“I’ve always enjoyed driving in China – I’ve won there twice before – and I hope we’ll be able to have some good battles on track and see more progress this weekend.”

Vandoorne is on standby to race again in Shanghai should Alonso be unable to return.

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Halo Could Have Helped Alonso - Button

Jenson Button believes Formula One’s controversial halo device would have helped Fernando Alonso in his spectacular crash.

The halo, which made its debut in pre-season testing, has attracted some criticism – not least from Lewis Hamilton, who labelled it as the worst modification in the sport’s history – but is set to be introduced next season.

It is a concept which has been designed to shield a driver’s head from flying debris – in the wake of a number of high-profile incidents – but among its drawbacks is whether it would hinder a driver getting out of the cockpit.

Alonso, after hitting the wall and being catapulted airborne, landed upside down in his McLaren before crawling out of his car.

“He was upside down when he landed and if he had the halo it would have helped him,” Button, Alonso’s McLaren team-mate, said. “There was no need for him to get out in that situation. There’s more safety risk of things hitting our head than anything happening when the car’s upside down.

“With the halo he would have had less impact on his helmet. It’s very unusual that there would be an issue with fuel spillage or anything like that. The halo is the right direction and we need it.”

While Nico Rosberg beat Lewis Hamilton to win the curtain raiser in Melbourne, Alonso’s incredible crash, which the Spaniard unsurprisingly said was the biggest of his career, has dominated the post-race agenda.

After he careered into the back of Esteban Gutiérrez at close to 200mph, Alonso was merely a passenger as he slammed into the wall before barrel-rolling through the air twice.

Coincidentally, two of Formula One’s other big crashes in recent times – involving Martin Brundle in 1996 and Jacques Villeneuve five years later – also occurred on the same bit of tarmac. The latter saw a track marshal killed after he was hit by a flying wheel. It is testament to the sport’s remarkable safety record that there were no fatalities on Sunday.

“Everything hurts a bit because everything inside your body moves when you are going so fast,” said Alonso. “The knees hurt a bit, because you are crashing against the cockpit and the steering column. I’ll need some ice but other than that, all fine.”

The Spaniard, who was given the all-clear by doctors at the track, also tweeted: “I am aware that today I spent some of the luck remaining in life, I want to thank McLaren, the FIA for the safety on this car. Also my colleagues and fans for the concern and unconditional support.”

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Alonso Given All Clear After Crash

Getty Images

Fernando Alonso has been given the all-clear by doctors after being involved in a frightening crash at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix. The McLaren driver’s car flipped twice and crumbled to pieces before hitting a barrier at turn three of the Albert Park circuit on Sunday.

“I’m happy to be here, it was quite a scary crash,” Alonso told Network Ten. “Lucky to be here,” the Spaniard concluded.

McLaren driver Fernando Alonso of Spain emerges from the wreck of his car after he collided with Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez of Mexico during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix.

McLaren driver Fernando Alonso of Spain emerges from the wreck of his car after he collided with Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez of Mexico during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix. Photograph: Theo Karanikos/AP

Alonso clipped the rear of Esteban Gutierrez of Haas Racing at full speed while trying to pass Gutierrez around the outside on lap 17 of 57. The Spaniard somehow managed to walk away from the mangled wreckage and hoards of debris unharmed. Both he and Gutierrez were taken to the medical centre for assessment. The team later confirmed via Twitter he had been “formally okayed by the doctors”.

“I’m sure his marbles are rattled a little bit,” McLaren chief Ron Dennis told Sky Sports. Stewards will investigate the incident after the race. The accident triggered a red flag, bringing proceedings to a temporary halt before resuming at 4:55pm (AEDT).

Alonso missed the 2015 Australian Grand Prix following a crash during testing in Spain. He joined Gutierrez, Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull), Rio Haryanto (Manor) and Kimi Raikkonen in retiring from the season-opening.

Sunday’s spectacular smash happened at the same corner former driver, now commentator Martin Brundle flipped his Jordan-Peugeot on lap one of the first F1 race at Albert Park in 1996.

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