Fernando Alonso Sidelined for F1 Australian GP After Concussion in Testing

Fernando Alonso Sidelined for F1 Australian GP After Concussion in Testing
Fernando Alonso McLaren Honda drives during Day Four of Formula One Winter Testing at Circuit de Catalunya on February 22, 2015 in Montmelo, Spain. Alonso crashed 20 laps into the test session. (Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Chris Jasurek
3/3/2015
Updated:
7/18/2015

Two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso will sit out the first race of the 2015 season after sustaining a concussion in a crash during testing at Barcelona, Spain in on February 22.

The former Ferrari and McLaren driver, now back with McLaren, went into a wall at high speed and was knocked unconscious. He spent three days in the hospital

Alonso’s doctors have pronounced the 33-year-old Spanish driver as entirely fit and healthy, but warned that another such impact within a few weeks of the first could have serious implications. The doctors therefore recommended that the driver sit out the season-opening Australian Grand Prix scheduled for March 15.

Alonso will be replaced by McLaren back-up driver Kevin Magnussen for the Australian Grand Prix, but should be back behind the wheel for the second race of the season, the Malaysian Grand Prix on March 29.