- McLaren
Alonso yet to be cleared for Australian Grand Prix
Fernando Alonso's participation at the Australian Grand Prix is still uncertain as McLaren waits for doctors to give him the all clear following his crash during the second test in Spain.
'Fernando is devoid of all injury'
- McLaren CEO Ron Dennis addressed the media on Thursday to clear up confusion surrounding Fernando Alonso's crash. Read the full transcript here
Alonso had an unusual but serious crash on the final day of the middle test, veering off the road on the exit of Turn 3 and hitting the inside wall. He was airlifted to hospital after the crash for precautionary tests, with McLaren CEO Ron Dennis confirming the Spaniard had a brief period of unconsciousness after impact.
McLaren put the crash down to gusty winds coming through the corner, which later caught out Alonso's compatriot Carlos Sainz in the Toro Rosso. On the first day of the final test Dennis explained at length to the media the facts of the accident and cleared up Alonso's health, stating categorically the Spaniard was "devoid of all injury".
Dennis also contradicted the statement released by the team which stated Alonso had suffered a concussion in the crash. However, because he displayed symptoms of concussion he had a precautionary three-night stay in hospital and is sidelined for the final test in Barcelona.
"I can't foresee any reason why not but I'm not the doctor," Dennis said. "There will be some tests, there is a process laid down within the FIA and I can't see any reason why he just won't sail through it. It's not for me to say yes or no.
"In normal circumstances, if [the third test] was a grand prix, he would probably be racing. I am just saying that there is no point in being here, go through a recovery, he will appear in Australia and he will go through the FIA test at some point."
If Alonso cannot compete at the season opener on March 15 Dennis confirmed reserve driver Kevin Magnussen , who is replacing the Spaniard for two days at the final test, will fill in for the race.
"We have Kevin here and he will test. I am not sure how things will unfold the rest of the four days, but effectively if Fernando didn't drive then Kevin would. It is the sort of preparation you would expect us to take to cover all eventualities, as opposed to this being right up there. Why would we want to put Kevin in the car without him having driven it?"
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