Sepang, Malaysia - Fernando Alonso passed a final medical examination on Thursday and will be able to participate in the Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend after he missed the Formula One season-opener in Australia due to concussion.
The former double world champion was sidelined following a winter-testing crash in Barcelona in February after leaving Ferarri for McLaren at the end of the 2014 season, but has been given the go-ahead to race for a team where he spent one unhappy season in 2007.
Alonso flew to Malaysia after passing tests by three eminent doctors at Cambridge University on Sunday and then passed the official examination by the governing body's medical delegate and the Sepang Circuit's chief medical officer.
“During the examination the driver passed all mandatory fitness tests and has thus been declared fit to race in this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix,” the International Automobile Federation declared.
UP FOR THE CHALLENGE
Considered one of the most skilful drivers in Formula One, Alonso will need to be at his very best around the Hermann Tilke-designed circuit to have any chance of picking up points on his return to racing for a team that fared poorly in Australia.
Struggling for pace and reliability with the new Honda engine, team-mate Jenson Button crawled around Albert Park to cross the line last of the 11 finishers, while Alonso's stand-in Kevin Magnussen failed to start the race due to engine issues.
Alonso's MP4-30 will carry an extra sensor in Malaysia after he recalled "heavy steering" before his crash on Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.
Several observers commented that the crash seemed unusual with Alonso's manager, Flavio Briatore, labelling it "very strange".
Before his departure for Malaysia Alonso said: “I've been working hard on my fitness and I feel good and ready to go this weekend.
“The weekend will be tough but I'm looking forward to getting into the MP4-30 for the first time in a Grand Prix and getting back to racing.
“It's clear we have a lot of work ahead of us but Jenson's result in Melbourne was encouraging from the point of view of reliability and data collection, which are extremely important.”
Williams driver Valtteri Bottas has also been cleared to race in Malaysia after the Finn missed the Australian opener because of a lower back injury.
Reuters