Alonso not ruled fit to race, will miss Bahrain after Australia crash
Fernando Alonso has been ruled out of the Bahrain GP as a result of injuries sustained in his Melbourne crash - and the former World Champion will be replaced by McLaren third driver Stoffel Vandoorne for the rest of the weekend.
Alonso complained of a swollen knee and sore ribs after the accident, and following an FIA medical examination in Bahrain on Thursday he was ruled out because of the latter. Last year he missed the Australian GP as a result of his Barcelona testing accident.
An FIA statement said: “Following an examination undertaken this morning at the Bahrain International Circuit Medical Centre, it has been decided that McLaren Honda F1 Team driver Fernando Alonso should not take part in this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix. Two sets of chest CT scans were compared and it was decided on safety grounds that there was insufficient resolution of the signs to allow him to compete on safety grounds.”
It added: “A repeat chest scan has been requested before the Chinese Grand Prix and the results will be considered before allowing him to race there.”
Vandoorne was in Japan for a Super Formula test when he got the news that he will be racing this weekend, and he duly rushed to the airport. He said on Twitter: “About to board for Bahrain, a bit earlier than expected but so much looking forward to it! Will do my very best for the team.”
“I respect the decision,” said Alonso. “I tried until the last moment to be able to race, at least to try in the practice. It has been some painful days at home. I was ready to go through this pain somehow in the car and make sure I could race, because at the end of the day the pain is manageable if you don't think too much probably.”
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