Alonso airlifted to hospital

On the final day of the second winter test in Barcelona, Fernando Alonso was airlifted to hospital following a heavy crash.

The two-time Formula One World Champion hit the wall on the inside of the Catalunya track between Turns 3 and 4.

After being treated on track next to his stricken McLaren Honda, Alonso was firstly taken to the circuit’s medical centre and later transferred to hospital by helicopter for further checks.

‘Fernando Alonso’s McLaren-Honda car left the track at Turn Three, causing the right-hand side of his car to strike the wall.’ a McLaren statement said on formula1.com.

‘Fernando was driven to the circuit’s Medical Centre where the circuit’s doctors gave him first aid. He was conscious and spoke with the doctors.’

‘However, as per usual procedure in such circumstances, he was then airlifted to hospital where he is undergoing precautionary checks.’

Alonso had completed just 20 laps on Sunday, setting the slowest time of the day.

At the top end of the time sheets it was Lotus for a third day out of four with Romain Grosjean setting a time of 1minute 24.067s.

He was three tenths faster than Mercedes and Nico Rosberg.

‘We completed a very promising mileage and it’s always good to see your name at the top of the timing monitors, even if it is far too early to know what everyone else is doing.’ said Grosjean after completing 111 laps.

Unofficial Sunday testing times from Barcelona:
1. Romain Grosjean, Lotus, 1m 24.067s
2. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1m 24.321s
3. Daniil Kvyat, Red Bull, 1m 24.941s
4. Felipe Nasr, Sauber, 1m 24.956s
5. Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1m 25.345s
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso, 1m 25.604s
7. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1m 26.312s
8. Nico Hulkenberg, Force India, 1m 26.591s
9. Fernando Alonso, McLaren, 1m 27.956s