Fernando Alonso’s return to McLaren this season has gotten off to a bumpy start. After suffering car trouble early during official testing for the 2015 Formula One World Championship, the Spaniard has now been involved in a crash.
During Sunday’s practice session at Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona, Spain, Alonso’s Honda-powered McLaren MP4-30 unexpectedly left the track at turn three, causing the right-hand side of the car to strike a cement wall.
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The two-time world championship was rushed to the circuit's Medical Center where doctors gave him first aid. According to a statement from McLaren, he was conscious and able to speak with the medical team.
He was then airlifted to hospital in order to go through some standard precautionary checks. He is expected to remain there for only one night. McLaren will issue further comment on its driver’s status in due course.
As for the latest performance during testing, Romain Grosjean in the new Mercedes AMG-powered Lotus was quickest after Sunday’s session. Mercedes AMG’s own Nico Rosberg was second fastest, followed by Infiniti Red Bull Racing newcomer Daniil Kvyat who was third fastest.
Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz Junior also crashed at turn three on Sunday but didn’t require any medical attention.
Testing will continue until the week after next when teams head down to Melbourne for preparation for the 2015 Australian Grand Prix. The opening race will take place March 15.
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