Alonso isn't ready for the Bahrain Grand Prix, Vandoorne as a replacement
Fernando Alonso will miss the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend after FIA’s medical team declared that the Spaniard didn’t pass the medical checks today. McLaren’s reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne will replace Alonso in the cockpit of the MP4-31 car at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Alonso survived a nasty crash in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Although his #14 McLaren-Honda was destroyed, Alonso was able to climb out from the car by himself. He reported no injuries but the fresh medical checks proved that he is not in the best condition and he didn’t get the green light for racing.
Alonso walked away after Australian crash
New medical examination before the Chinese Grand Prix
Here’s the full statement released by the FIA: “Following an examination undertaken this morning at the Bahrain International Circuit Medical Centre, it has been decided that McLaren-Honda F1 Team driver Fernando Alonso should not take part in this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
Two sets of chest CT scans were compared and it was decided on safety grounds that there was an insufficient resolution of the signs to allow him to compete on safety grounds. A repeat chest scan has been requested before the Chinese Grand Prix and the results will be considered before allowing him to race there.”
F1 debut as Vandoorne’s birthday present
Immediately after received the FIA’s decision McLaren announced Stoffel Vandoorne as Alonso’s replacement. The Belgian driver, last year’s GP2 Series champion, will have his Formula One debut just a week after his 24th birthday. He was in Japan, participating in a Super Formula pre-season test, when heard a news about Alonso, and he immediately took a flight to Bahrain. Vandoorne has a good memories from Bahrain, cause he won last year in the season-opening GP2 race and took the second place in the second race.
