Alonso returns in Malaysia

FERNANDO ALONSO will return to Formula One at the Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend after passing a medical by three Cambridge University doctors.

The spaniard, who was injured testing in Barcelona last month, was given the all-clear by the British experts. He will go through final tests at the circuit in Kuala lumpur later this week, but they are little more than a formality.

Alonso’s Mclaren team said: ‘ Fernando has followed a rigorous training programme, designed and closely monitored by leading sports scientists, to ensure his safe and timely return to racing.

‘At the Mclaren technology centre last week, Fernando met with his engineers . . . as part of that process he spent time with senior engi- neers discussing the accident and reviewing the data and analysis, all of which has been shared with the FIA.’

Mclaren added: ‘Fernando recalls a sense of “heavy” steering prior to the accident. Consequently the team has fitted an additional sensor to the car to increase our data capture.’

Alonso, 33, is therefore set to make his racing return for Mclaren eight years after leaving the team in rancorous circumstances.