It’s all clear, Alonso is ready to race, says McLaren boss
RON Dennis, the McLaren chief executive, insists that Fernando Alonso should be ready to race at the opening grand prix of the season in Australia, despite spending three nights in hospital following a crash in testing last week.
The 33-year-old Spaniard was airlifted to hospital after crashing into a wall at the Circuit de Cataluña in Barcelona last Sunday, where he stayed until being released early this week. Alonso was allowed to return home to the northern Spanish city of Oviedo for further recuperation rather than taking part in the third pre-season test in Barcelona that began on Thursday.
The first race of the season takes place in Melbourne on March 15.
“He was sedated as is always the case, he went to hospital where he had a completely clear CT scan and then a completely clear MRI,” said Dennis. “At no stage of the inspection process was there any indication of damage to his brain.
“He is completely lucid, talking, he wants to drive and wants to go testing. The doctor said if you really want to be sure and want to give him the best chance of going to Australia, then the best thing to do is to rest him, and we’re not going to go against the wishes of the doctor.
“I can’t foresee any reason why he wouldn’t [drive in Australia]. There are tests laid down by the FIA and I don’t see any reason why he won’t just sail through it.”
Dennis also responded to claims that McLaren had not been transparent with all the details of the incident following the crash.
“People saying we are concealing, it is complete fabrication. We can categorically say he has no injury, we can categorically say he did not suffer an electric shock and we can categorically say we believe the car did not fail.”
The 67-year-old also reiterated McLaren’s belief that unusually strong winds had been the cause of the accident.
Moreover, he said the Wokingbased team were co-operating with the FIA fully, but that, contrary to press reports, no formal investigation had been opened. — AFP SALUTE: Formula One driver Fernando Alonso leaves Cataluña Hospital