Having been cleared to compete in the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend after undergoing and passing FIA medical tests on Friday, Fernando Alonso says he is ready to handle the pain that he will no doubt experience during the race.
After completing initial tests to allow him to compete in FP1 on Friday morning, the Spaniard underwent further assessment after the first practice session had finished, to decide whether he would be allowed to continue for the rest of the weekend. The results were positive and Alonso was given the all clear to race, taking part in FP2, where he finished one place ahead of McLaren team-mate Jenson Button.
Speaking to Autosport afterwards, the double World champion advised:
“I felt good. I missed the car a lot in the last 26 days so I’m happy to be back. There is still a little bit of pain because the rib is not completely recovered. The ribs are still a bit fractured but that is normal.”
“It’s also a circuit with a lot of long right corners, which is not a good combination But it’s manageable, the pain, and there is not other risk this time to be in the car so that is the positive thing.”
Asked if he had made any adjustments to the car in order to give himself any extra protection throughout the race, the Spaniard advised:
“No, I do not wear anything extra, I just try to be a bit more careful with movements I do when I sit in the car and jump out. I want to avoid any silly movements which can break the rib again. It’s quite OK.”
“With [the] seats and comfort we have, it’s quite tight, you are in this perfect shape of your body, so that is the best thing.”
“It’s an F1 car so it’s quite stiff, every bump you feel, every kerb you feel and that is the worst thing, but I’m happy and ready to race.”
Alonso will be hopeful of getting through the Chinese Grand Prix unscathed, but will no doubt be relishing the challenge after being out of the car since the Australian Grand Prix.
