It was recently announced that Fernando Alonso did not pass the required FIA medical examination for the Bahrain Grand Prix, following his massive accident in Australia. Although the FIA’s original statement did not state their reason for denying him clearance, Alonso explained the full extent of the injuries that he sustained from his shunt in Australia.
Following the accident in Australia, Eric Boullier, the McLaren-Honda Racing Director, told the press that Alonso had been declared ok by the track medics. He had stated that Alonso “visited the FIA medical centre immediately after the accident, and was formally okayed by the doctors there”. This led many to believe that Alonso had been uninjured by the accident.
However, this was not the case. Alonso has revealed, during the Thursday driver press conference in Bahrain, that he suffered multiple rib fractures and a collapsed lung. He explained that he has already recovered from the minor collapsed lung and is now just waiting for the fractured ribs to heal correctly.
Alonso explained the situation to the press at the Thursday press conference:
“Last week I was OK Sunday – some knee pain but not big things. I had the green light from the doctors to leave the track and everything was OK. On Monday, I had a little bit of overall pain but nothing too serious. I flew back. I arrived in Spain and the pain was similar or a little bit more, so we decided to do a proper check – a CT scan. I had a small pneumothorax on the lung. So we took the advice from the doctors to relax at home and make everything come to normal and we repeat the scan last Monday. The pneumothorax is gone more or less but I have some rib fractures, so because of that there are the risks of driving, because Formula One is a very unique sport, a unique position on the car, and the G-Forces that a fracture could move into the lung as well, so yeah, it’s not like a broken leg or broken arm, that you can deal with the pain, this is in the chest where some organs are there and we cannot do much more.”
As stated by the FIA, Alonso will need to undergo another examination prior to the Chinese Grand Prix. Do to the high amount of stress put on the drivers’ bodies while in a Formula One car, the FIA cannot allow injured drivers to take part in driving sessions, as it could potentially worsen the injury. Alonso was optimistic about racing in China, but says “it’s not 100 per cent” certain that he will be permitted to race in China.
Alonso will remain in Bahrain to tutor his replacement, Stoffel Vandoorne, but will not be in the car. Vandoorne will be making his Formula One race debut this weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir for the 2016 Bahrain Grand Prix on April 3.
Alonso Not Medically Cleared For Bahrain
Chassis Replacement For Haas
No Drivers Injured In Australian Race Accident
Weekend Summary: 2016 Australian Grand Prix
