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Fernando Alonso to miss Australian grand prix

Published on 03 Mar 2015 13:17
2
By: Rob Veenstra

A McLaren statement: "Having performed an exhaustive series of tests and scans – some of them as recently as yesterday evening – McLaren-Honda driver Fernando Alonso's doctors have informed him that they find him asymptomatic of any medical issue; that they see no evidence whatsoever of any injury; and that they therefore describe him as entirely healthy from neurological and cardiac perspectives alike."

"However, Fernando's doctors have recommended to him that, following the concussion he sustained in a testing accident at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 22nd, for the time being he should seek to limit as far as is possible any environmental risk factors that could potentially result in his sustaining another concussion so soon after his previous one, so as to minimise the chances of second impact syndrome, as is normal medical procedure when treating athletes after concussions."

"In order to limit those environmental risk factors, specifically, his doctors have advised that he should not compete in the imminent Australian Grand Prix meeting, which will take place on March 13th, 14th and 15th."

"Fernando has understood and accepted that advice, and the two McLaren-Honda cars will therefore be driven in Australia by Fernando's team-mate Jenson Button and the team’s test and reserve driver Kevin Magnussen."

"Fernando's doctors acknowledge that he feels fit and well, and that he regards himself as ready to race, and, that being the case, they are comfortable with the fact that he has already recommenced physical training, with a view to preparing for a return to the cockpit of his McLaren-Honda car for the Malaysian Grand Prix meeting on March 27th, 28th and 29th. Indeed, his doctors are supportive of that ambition, satisfied as they are that he sustained no damage whatsoever during his testing accident on February 22nd."

"All at McLaren-Honda fully support Fernando’s decision in respect of his doctors' advice."

F1 News Fernando Alonso Jenson Button Kevin Magnussen McLaren Honda

Replies (2)

Bennie

Posts: 429
Crazy stuff...is McLaren hinding something? They told us he had a off because of a storm, but this is not really expected.
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- Mar 3 2015 - 13:21
BtwnDitches

Posts: 204
Oh, wait a minute - now there WAS a concussion?! (Bouliiard denied that several times on the record, didn't he?) Also, what are the particulars of the asserted "memory loss?" Before, after the impact? What stuff that the grid knows from tele data doesn't Alonso also know, but should?

It's probably just as well that Ferdie continues this medical furlough, since it isn't likely - with that car - that he'd earn any driver champ points in Australia anyway. Just finishing the race may be the best that McLaren can hope for. And, he won't be in the garage glaring at the Honda guys who spend days repairing seals, swapping engines and otherwise tinkering with that car without really improving overal reliability or getting it to perform at racing parameters.

"Hello McLaren? This is Ferdie. Call me when you actually have a car for me to race in. Hopefully, before the middle of August. And hopefully, one that won't get blown off the track in a 40 mph gust of wind."
- + 0
- Mar 3 2015 - 19:32