user icon
icon
link-icon
<< Return to the news list
Magnussen: "Shame about the circumstances"

Magnussen: "Shame about the circumstances"

  • Published on 04 Mar 2015 12:47
  • comments 2
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Fernando Alonso says he can "understand" why he has been sidelined for the Australian grand prix. McLaren on Tuesday announced that, on the advice of the Spaniard's doctors, the risk of 'second impact syndrome' means the 33-year-old will sit out the first race of the new Honda-powered era.

"It will be tough not to be in Australia," Alonso told his followers on Twitter, "but I understand the recommendations. A second impact in less than 21 days 'NO'," he said. 21 days after Alonso's February crash would be 15 March -- the day of the Melbourne race.

The 21-day issue is a pertinent one. Protocol in sports such as rugby dictates that concussed athletes not play again for at least 21 days. Lotus driver Romain Grosjean told RMC Sport that, although Alonso's crash did not seem to be particularly heavy, fully lateral impacts are "extremely rare".

"Almost always you crash with some sort of angle," said the Frenchman, "resulting in damage. But when you hit the wall completely parallel, and the car does not break, suddenly all of the energy that is supposed to be absorbed by the carbon is absorbed completely by Fernando," he added.

Former F1 driver Patrick Tambay agrees, even if McLaren argues that Alonso is completely uninjured. Referring to Alonso's advice to sit out Melbourne, the former Ferrari driver said: "It is a wise recommendation."

"Doctors tend to protect themselves as well, because in the case of another accident, they might be responsible for what happens. At the same time, on technical and sporting terms and what we have seen so far, it's really not a big loss for Alonso to be on the safe side physically and then return fully fit later on," Tambay added.

Alonso will be replaced in Melbourne by McLaren reserve Kevin Magnussen. "Shame about the circumstances," the Dane wrote on Twitter, "but still I'm so excited to be racing in Melbourne. Can't wait!" Alonso replied: "Best of luck at the race mate!" (GMM)
F1 News Fernando Alonso Romain Grosjean Kevin Magnussen Lotus F1 Ferrari McLaren Honda

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • khasmir

    Posts: 893

    Now we are talking some sense...

    • + 0
    • Mar 4 2015 - 19:20
  • BACKFIRE

    Posts: 1

    I'm so glad someone is at last talking scense, I get sick and fed up of the sensationalising of some of these incidence, his brain was knocked around after experiencing a full on side impact into an unforgiving solid wall at about 90mph, in my book that is one heck of a lot of speed to crash and not feel the impact through your body, the brain being the weakest point. If he was shocked or something fell of the car or whatever I doudt if the team would cover it up, I mean why would they! Ridiculous.

    • + 0
    • Mar 5 2015 - 12:06

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Pos
Team
Points
1
Red Bull Racing
195
2
Ferrari
151
3
McLaren
96
4
Mercedes
52
5
Aston Martin
40
6
Visa Cash App RB
7
7
Haas F1
5
Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia
Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21
China
Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
Italy
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
24 - May 26
Monaco
Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
21 - Jun 23
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
28 - Jun 30
Austria
Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy
Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
Losail International Circuit
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
Japan Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21
China Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
21 - Jun 23
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
Qatar Losail International Circuit
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

ES Fernando Alonso 14
  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 533
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 149
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (42)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Lotus F1
Lotus F1
Show full profile
show sidebar