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 "Fernando has understood and accepted that advice, and the two
McLaren-Honda cars will therefore be driven in Australia by
Fernando’s team-mate Jenson Button and the team’s test and reserve
driver Kevin Magnussen," they said in a statement.
Australia would have marked a new start for Alonso at McLaren, who
are also embarking on a new engine partnership with Honda, after
five years at Ferrari.
However, the Spaniard spent three nights in hospital last week after
losing control and hitting the wall in testing in Barcelona on Feb.
22.
McLaren said the 33-year-old had undergone more tests on Monday
evening and been given the all-clear.
"However, Fernando’s doctors have recommended to him that...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," they
added.
"In order to limit those environmental risk factors, specifically,
his doctors have advised that he should not compete in the imminent
Australian Grand Prix meeting."
First practice for the March 15 race in Melbourne starts on Friday,
March 13.
Denmark's Magnussen raced for McLaren last season, finishing second
in Australia after local hero Daniel Ricciardo was disqualified for
Red Bull.
The chances of him returning to the podium look remote this time
around, with McLaren struggling in testing to get laps under their
belt due to persistent troubles with the new V6 turbo hybrid engine.
[to top of second column] |
Alonso has not missed a race since the 2005 U.S. Grand Prix, which
was boycotted for safety reasons by drivers whose cars were equipped
with Michelin tyres after problems emerged in practice.
McLaren said the doctors had recognized that the double world
champion felt fit and well, and considered himself ready to race.
"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," the team said.
"Indeed, his doctors are supportive of that ambition, satisfied as
they are that he sustained no damage whatsoever during his testing
accident."
(Editing by Ed Osmond)
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