Fernando Alonso Crash: Formula One Ace Hospitalized After Heavy Crash During Test
Formula One driver Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion, was airlifted to a hospital as a precautionary measure after his car spun out of control and hit a wall at the Circuit de Catalunya circuit in Spain.
According to Yahoo! Sports, the incident happened at around lunchtime on Sunday in the midst of a routine test run. The crash took place at the exit of the 150 mph turn three. Alonso was “OK and conscious,” a BBC News report confirmed. However, he has been taken to a hospital just to ensure there are no internal injuries.
McLaren, the team for which Fernando Alonso was testing the car, has issued a statement following the crash.
“Today at 12:35 CET, while testing at the Circuit de Catalunya (Barcelona), during the fourth and final day of the current test, Fernando Alonso’s McLaren-Honda car left the track at Turn Three, causing the right-hand side of his car to strike the wall. Fernando was driven to the circuit’s Medical Centre where the circuit’s doctors gave him first aid. He was conscious and spoke with the doctors. However, as per usual procedure in such circumstances, he was then airlifted to hospital where he is undergoing precautionary checks.”
The official Twitter handle of the McLaren F1 team also posted tweets informing people about the status of Alonso following the crash.
Fernando is conscious and is speaking. He has been airlifted to hospital for further checks.
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) February 22, 2015
Prior to the crash, they had posted a picture of the car Alonso was testing.
And we’re away. Fernando takes the MP4-30 for a spin in the Barca sun. #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/khed5zMgiq
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) February 22, 2015
After the crash, there were several tweets from rival teams and former teammates wishing Alonso all the best. The Twitter account of the Circuit de Catalunya also tweeted out a message in support of Alonso and gave out constant updates regarding his status.
.@alo_oficial crashed before turn 4. The ambulance had to access in #Circuit tracks but Alonso is ok and conscious #F1
— Circuit BCN-CAT EN (@Circuitcat_eng) February 22, 2015
Alonso has been moved to the hospital by helicopter to continue with the medical exam #F1 #BarcelonaTest #Circuit
— Circuit BCN-CAT EN (@Circuitcat_eng) February 22, 2015
The news of Fernando Alonso’s crash comes just over a year after another Formula One Ace, Michael Schumacher, was seriously injured in a skiing accident in the French Alps. Schumacher remained in a comatose state for several months before he “woke up.” He was subsequently taken off life support and was making a very gradual recovery.
[Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images]
