Fernando Alonso’s new Formula One->ke190 relationship with McLaren->ke284 Honda->ke34 is off to a rocky start. After several malfunctions limited time in testing, Alonso has now been involved in a violent collision. The accident happened Sunday afternoon right before the lunch break, when Alonso left the track at Turn Three of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. This turn is normally a 150 mph turn, and it is widely regarded as one of the most challenging corners on the calendar. Thankfully it appears that Alonso was traveling at a far slower speed than the usual 150 mph; Sebastian Vettel was directly behind Alonso on track and stated “The speed was slow - maybe 150kph (93 mph).”
After the collision Alonso was airlifted to the local hospital for testing, and he was held overnight as a precaution. According to Team Boss Eric Boullier, Alonso suffered a concussion, but otherwise was unharmed. It's good to hear that he received very few injuries, and he should easily be able to compete this season.
Why it Matters
Massive brain injuries have been frequent news lately in Formula One. First Michael Schumacher fell on a skiing trip and suffered head trauma that left him in a coma for months. His recovery is still questionable. After that, Jules Bianchi was involved in a massive crash at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2014 that left him in a coma on assisted ventilation. He has been removed from mechanical ventilation, but his condition is still uncertain. Seeing Alonso airlifted from the track’s medical facility to the hospital sparked immediate concerns that we may have lost another great driver to a terrible head trauma.
The update that Alonso suffered little more than a concussion is a welcome one, but the Spaniard is still far from 100 percent. There will be several neurological studies to ensure that Alonso is fit to drive, and it may impact his ability to participate in the final testing session of the season at the end of the week. That said, Alonso should be ready to go in time for the Australian Grand Prix sessions that start March 13th.