Alonso to miss out on Australia

Fernando Alonso has been withdrawn from the opening round of the 2015 Formula One World Championship.

The McLaren Honda driver who was hospitalised following a crash during the second winter test in Barcelona has not been given clearance to race from his medical team.

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

And medical advice ?to minimise the chances of second impact syndrome, as is normal medical procedure when treating athletes after concussions? was to pull out of the Australian Grand Prix.

McLaren Honda have replaced Alonso with Kevin Magnussen, who has had one day behind the wheel of the new 2015 car when he replaced Alonso during the final winter test session.

33-year-old is permitted to continue training and is hopeful of a return at the end of March for the Malaysian Grand Prix.

‘Having performed an exhaustive series of tests and scans ? some of them as recently as yesterday evening ? McLaren-Honda driver Fernando Alonso?s doctors have informed him that they find him asymptomatic of any medical issue; that they see no evidence whatsoever of any injury; and that they therefore describe him as entirely healthy from neurological and cardiac perspectives alike.

‘However, Fernando?s doctors have recommended to him that, following the concussion he sustained in a testing accident at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 22nd, for the time being he should seek to limit as far as is possible any environmental risk factors that could potentially result in his sustaining another concussion so soon after his previous one, so as to minimise the chances of second impact syndrome, as is normal medical procedure when treating athletes after concussions. a McLaren statement read on Sky Sports.

It added: ‘Fernando?s doctors acknowledge that he feels fit and well, and that he regards himself as ready to race, and, that being the case, they are comfortable with the fact that he has already recommenced physical training, with a view to preparing for a return to the cockpit of his McLaren-Honda car for the Malaysian Grand Prix meeting on March 27th, 28th and 29th. Indeed, his doctors are supportive of that ambition, satisfied as they are that he sustained no damage whatsoever during his testing accident on February 22nd.

‘All at McLaren-Honda fully support Fernando?s decision in respect of his doctors? advice.