FEARS GROW FOR ALONSO AS HE MISSES OPENER IN OZ

FERNANDO ALONSO, by many estimations the greatest motor-racing driver of his generation, will not be able to compete again until doctors can fathom the problem which yesterday ruled him out of the Australian Grand Prix on March 15. The Spaniard, who won world titles in 2005 and 2006, could otherwise become the £40milion driver who never actually races for McLaren again. Alonso, 33, has had several tests since he was concussed in a high-speed crash in testing a week last Sunday in Barcelona. Although McLaren chairman Ron Dennis said his star driver was not concussed, he was. McLaren’s statements — as well as private briefings since — say as much. The misrepresentation was a result of ‘Ron-speak’, the convoluted and often confusing style of speech employed by McLaren’s boss. Alonso (below), who was in hospital for three days after the smash, had scans in Spain this week but they failed to reveal his true condition. McLaren hope their key man will be fit to compete in the season’s second race, the Malaysian Grand Prix in Kuala Lumpar on March 29, but there is, as yet, no absolute assurance that he will. Sportsmail understands that Alonso’s condition remains totally unknown. He has put out videos showing he is in fine shape and yet his health problems are unexplained. A McLaren statement said: ‘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 miniminse the chances of second impact syndrome, as is normal medical procedure when testing athletes after concussions. ‘In order to limit those environmenetal risk factors, his doctors have advised he should not compete in the Australian Grand Prix.’ It is uncertain whether Alonso was injured by the 133mph crash in testing, which took place in high winds, or whether he blanked out before he lost control. Some internet rumour-mongers had suggested he sufferered an electric shock, but there are no indications that he did and McLaren have categorically denied it. But, even in private briefings, the Woking team have no concrete explanation for his current plight. Alonso’s place in Melbourne will be taken by Danish racer Kevin Magnussen. He competed last year for McLaren but was dropped to reserve driver, in favour of Jenson Button, to make way for Alonso. ‘We don’t really know what is wrong with Fernando,’ said one McLaren source. Alonso took to Twitter and wrote: ‘It will be tough not to be in Australia, but I understand the recommendations. A second impact in less than 21 days NO!’