F1 hero Fernando Alonso ‘set to undergo operation on his face and jaw’ after being hit by a car while out cycling in Switzerland as Alpine confirm driver is ‘stable’ in hospital – just a month before pre-season testing begins in Bahrain
- Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso has hospitalised after being hit by vehicle
- The accident has happened a month before pre-season testing starts in Bahrain
- The Alpine F1 squad has shared a statement saying he is ‘conscious’ and ‘himself’
Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso will ‘undergo an operation on his jaw and face’ after he was struck by a car while cycling and hospitalised in Switzerland.
On a bike ride to build up his fitness ahead of his return to F1, Alonso, 39, was hit by a car but is reported to be ‘conscious’ and ‘well in himself’.
Spanish radio station Cadena SER detailed after news of the crash broke that he is to be transferred to another hospital in Switzerland, a facility in the city of Bern, as he requires an operation.
It was reported that Alonso’s face and jaw had been ‘very affected’ from the crash after he collided with the ground following his impact with the car.
Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso (pictured) has hospitalised after being hit by a vehicle
The two-time F1 world champion was struck by a car while out on a training ride near Lugano (pictured right, on a different bike ride in Le Mans, France, back in 2018)
According to a report by Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, the two-time F1 world champion was struck by a car while out on a training ride near Lugano.
Alonso has been building up his fitness ahead of a return to Formula 1 with Alpine – the team previously known as Renault – after a two-year spell away from the grid.
A statement from the Alpine F1 team read: ‘Alpine F1 Team can confirm that Fernando Alonso has been involved in a road accident while cycling in Switzerland.
‘Fernando is conscious and well in himself and is awaiting further medical examinations tomorrow morning.
He was taken to hospital following the accident, but is said to ‘conscious’ and ‘well in himself’
He is due to make his Formula One comeback this season after two years out of the sport
‘Alpine F1 Team will not make any further statement at this point in time. Further updates will be given tomorrow.’
Alonso is a legend of the sport but this accident comes as a major setback with the new season on the horizon.
Gazzetta dello Sport stated that Alonso may have suffered possible fractures – putting his return in serious doubt.
Should Alonso be able to return to the grid for the 2021 season, he will do so 20 years after his F1 debut with Minardi in 2001.
During his career, Alonso has also raced in sportscars, IndyCar and the Dakar Rally, but announced last summer that he would be returning to grand prix racing in 2021 on a multi-year deal with the French manufacturer Renault.
However, Alonso may have suffered possible fractures – putting his return in serious doubt
Alonso has claimed 32 grand prix victories and 97 podiums across his career so far
Alonso claimed both his F1 drivers’ championship titles in 2005 and 2006 and this will be his third stint with the constructor formerly known as Renault.
In total, he has won 32 races from the 311 in which he has started. The Spaniard is sixth on the sport’s all-time winners list.
Alonso has undergone advanced preparations for his return by completing extensive testing in the 2018-spec Renault F1 car last year, as well as twice sampling the 2020 R.S.20 model.
More to follow…
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