Alonso and Bottas cleared to drive

Both Fernando Alonso and Valtteri Bottas have been cleared by the FIA to race at this weekends Malaysian Grand Prix.

Fernando Alonso passed the FIA medical examinations and will return to his McLaren Honda for the first time since his crash in winter testing which resulted in Alonso suffering ‘temporary memory loss’.

The two-time Formula One World Champion was knocked unconscious following the crash on February 22nd, which is currently under investigation by the FIA.

According to the Spanish media he was asked by doctors following his concussion, who he was, what did he do and what did he want to do in the future. Which he responded by saying: ‘I’m Fernando, I’m in karts and want to become Formula 1 driver,’

Following medical advice Alonso was withdrawn from the opening round of the 2015 Formula One World Championship as a precaution to minimise the chances of second impact syndrome.

He will now return to make his second debut for McLaren with the FIA confirming the news in a statement.

‘In accordance with normal procedures, McLaren-Honda driver Fernando Alonso was this morning (Thursday) examined by the FIA medical delegate and chief medical officer at the Sepang circuit medical centre.

‘During the examination the driver passed all mandatory fitness tests and has thus been declared fit to race in this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix.’

Williams driver Valtteri Bottas has also been passed fit to race after the Finnish driver was forced to withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix after injuring his back during qualifying.

Bottas suffered a tear in the annular part of a disc in his lower back, worryingly it apparently wasn’t due to any particular incident like hitting a high curb or a bump and instead it ‘just happened’ whilst he was out on track.

He subsequently failed the FIA’s extraction test and he wasn’t cleared to race.

But after working with physiotherapists, Bottas is now fit to return.

‘Following final approval by the FIA medical team in Malaysia today (Thursday), we are pleased to confirm Valtteri will be back in the FW37 this weekend for the Malaysian Grand Prix.’ Williams said in a statement.