formula 1 Formula 1 Silly Season 2015

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F1: McLaren's Fernando Alonso pulls out of Australian Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso has pulled out of the Australian Grand Prix after doctors advised him against getting back in a Formula 1 car just yet.

The Spaniard suffered concussion in a testing accident at Barcelona last month and, after spending three days in hospital, he has been recovering at home in Spain.

Although doctors are happy with the progress he has made, with medical tests having been completed last night, the risk of another injury setting him back has prompted them to advise he steers clear of racing in the F1 season-opener.

A statement issued by McLaren said: "Fernando's doctors have recommended to him that, following the concussion he sustained in a testing accident on February 22nd, 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.

"[This is] to minimise the chances of second impact syndrome, as is normal medical procedure when treating athletes after concussions.

"In order to limit those environmental risk factors, specifically, his doctors have advised that he should not compete in the imminent Australian Grand Prix."

McLaren has already decided that Kevin Magnussen will drive alongside Jenson Button at Albert Park.

The team added that Alonso believes he will be ready to resume racing at the second round of the championship in Malaysia on March 28.

The statement added: "Fernando's doctors acknowledge that he feels fit and well, and that he regards himself as ready to race.

"And, that being the case, 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.

"Indeed, his doctors are supportive of that ambition, satisfied as they are that he sustained no damage whatsoever during his testing accident on February 22nd."

Source: Autosport

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Manor confirms Australian Grand Prix entry

Manor has confirmed it will participate in the Australian Grand Prix next week after coming out of administration.

The team, formerly known as Marussia, has secured new investment from Stephen Fitzpatrick, owner of energy company Ovo. Justin King, the former CEO of Sainsbury

[philcruicks]

That's great news, shame about Alonso though.

[Skiver Veteran]

Van der Garde demanding Sauber drive in Australia
 

 

Giedo van der Garde is taking legal action ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in an attempt to secure one of Sauber's race drives for 2015.

 

Van der Garde was the team's reserve driver last year and claims a deal was in place for him to race this year. However, Sauber named Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr as its 2015 drivers at the end of last year, leaving van der Garde without a drive.

 

Reports in Australia say the Dutch driver has now opened urgent legal action, lodging documents at the Victorian Supreme Court on Wednesday and seeking a hearing for Monday.

 

"In early November 2014, Mr van de Garde was informed by Sauber's Chief Executive Officer, Ms Monisha Kaltenborn, that Sauber's two seats had been given to other drivers and that, as a consequence, Mr van der Garde would not have a place as a driver in the team in 2015," the documents claim.

 

The documents add that Van der Garde first took his case to the Arbitration Institution in Switzerland, which ruled in his favour.

 

"The Respondent was ordered to refrain from taking any action the effect of which would be to deprive Mr van der Garde of his entitlement to participate in the 2015 Formula One Season as one of Sauber's two nominated race drivers."

Read more at http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/193447.html#hGPhz1HUd5XwejSk.99

[i11usive]

TEAMS COULD BOYCOTT MELBOURNE OVER ALONSO CRASH

 

Formula 1 teams are threatening to boycott unless clearer information about Fernando Alonso

[MightyJordan]

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[MightyJordan]

 

"Something does not add up" about Fernando Alonso's pre-season testing crash, according to former McLaren driver David Coulthard.

 

Alonso, 33, crashed in his McLaren during the second pre-season test in Barcelona last month, suffering concussion.

 

The Spaniard will miss next weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

 

"I think there is more to this than we are being told about at this time," said BBC F1 co-commentator Coulthard.

 

Former world champion Alonso is in his first year back at McLaren - the team he raced for in 2007 - after five years at Ferrari.

 

It is a move Coulthard described as "not a marriage" but of just "pure convenience".

 

The Woking-based team, who have not won a race since 2012, have endured a difficult pre-season, with reliability issues plaguing them throughout testing.

 

Alonso's crash, which happened on the final day of the second test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, was said to have been influenced by a strong, gusty wind.

 

He was driving at a speed of 215km/h (133.6mph) when he lost control of his car, hit a wall, suffered two blows to his head and was flown to hospital, where he was kept for three nights.

 

McLaren boss Ron Dennis said four days after the incident that Alonso was not concussed and Coulthard added: "There is conflicting information coming out, saying there are zero signs of any injury but then three days of hospital for concussion.

 

"It does not add up. He does not need three days of privacy, he can go to his own private residence and have that."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/31759693

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