By Adam Tate, Managing Editor
Fernando Alonso has not been cleared to race at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend. The two-time champ has been sidelined by FIA doctors after the scary crash he had with Haas F1’s Esteban Gutierrez in the season opening Australian Grand Prix.
The announcement does not come as a shock as Alonso withstood over 40G’s in one of the most violent crashes in recent memory. Alonso has further revealed that he has a broken rib and a lung issue called a pneumothorax, where air gets trapped between the lungs and the chest cavity, from the accident. Unfortunately he may also miss the Chinese Grand Prix.
It is not 100 percent. So there will be another test. I need to do in the next eight to 10 days. After that test, the FIA will evaluate again as they did now. First of all is the safety and hopefully everything is okay. We need to see with the next test. – Fernando Alonso
In his place, McLaren-Honda’s official reserve driver and GP2 champion Stoffel Vandoorne will make his Formula One debut. Touted by many as a future champion, Vandoorne will have many eyes on him this weekend in Bahrain. It sets up a fascinating prospect for the sport, to see just how good Vandoorne can be and it may be a strong indicator of just how long Alonso and Jenson Button may remain at McLaren-Honda, whilst Stoffel waits in the wings.
Image: McLaren-Honda F1 Team
