|
 The governing International Automobile Federation said on
Thursday, after the McLaren driver underwent tests at the Shanghai
circuit, that the medical delegate considered him "provisionally fit
to take part".
The statement added, however, that the double world champion would
have to undergo a further examination immediately after Friday's
first free practice session "to determine his further eligibility".
Spaniard Alonso sat out the April 3 race in Bahrain after failing a
medical following an horrific accident in the March 20 season-opener
in Melbourne that left him with fractured ribs and the risk of a
collapsed lung.
He was replaced by Belgian reserve Stoffel Vandoorne who made his F1
debut and scored McLaren's only point so far this season in 10th
place.
 Alonso told reporters in Shanghai he felt ready but would accept
whatever decision the doctors made.
"The first one I want to be 100 percent is me because it's my
safety. I feel 100 percent, I guess they will feel that I’m 100
percent," he said.
"The normal thing will be to check after the first session that I
feel okay because Formula One is a very unique sport. After the
first couple of laps I will also feel if it's okay from my side and
if it's okay from their side."
Alonso is one of two drivers, the other being team mate Jenson
Button of Britain, to have finished every Chinese Grand Prix since
it first appeared on the calendar in 2004.
[to top of second column] |
He has won it twice, in 2005 with Renault and 2013 for Ferrari.
"In Bahrain I was mentally 100 percent ready to race but physically
I had a lot of pain," added Alonso who has returned to his normal
training routine.
"Now the situation has improved a lot and I’m mentally 120 percent
but physically I’m also 100 percent with no pain, at least in the
last couple of days."
Alonso collided at speed with the Haas of Mexican Esteban Gutierrez
in Australia, his McLaren barrel-rolling through the air before
coming to rest upside down against the barriers in a mangled heap.
(Additional reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by John Stonestreet)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
