Former Formula One champion Fernando Alonso has undergone surgery on a fractured jaw after he was involved in a road accident while cycling in Switzerland, his team announced Alpine on Friday.
According to the Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport and the BBC, veteran driver Fernando Alonso was hit by a car near his home in Lugano in Switzerland, near the Italian border.
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In a statement, Alpine said “the medical team present are satisfied with the progress” after Alonso’s operation and the 39-year-old man will remain in hospital under surveillance “for another 48 hours”.
Fernando Alonso, who won the F1 championship with Renault in 2005 and 2006, is gearing up to return to elite motorsport at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 28, after the last race in the sport three years ago.
Trials for the new season take place in Bahrain between March 12-14, and Alpine said Fernando Alonso is expected to take part.
“After several days of complete rest, he will be able to continue training progressively. We hope he can be fully operational to make preparations for this season, “continued the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was one of many who posted their support for Fernando Alonso on Twitter.
“A lot of strength and all the best wishes to Fernando Alonso,” he said. “We hope the injuries from this accident are minimal. A tight hug, @alo_oficial, ”he added.
“Just hearing about my friend Fernando Alonso’s accident, I wish him a speedy recovery,” Yazeed Al-Rajhi, who raced against Fernando Alonso in Dakar 2020, posted.
“We are with you Fernando. Fuerza campeon (go champion), ”said the organizer of the Le Mans, FIA World Endurance Championship.
Fernando Alonso joins Alpine, being rebranded from Renault F1 by the French manufacturer for the coming season, after competing in the Indianapolis 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as the Dakar Rally.
French racer Esteban Ocon, who only climbed the F1 podium at Sakhir last December, is Alonso’s new Alpine teammate.
Fernando Alonso is set to become the second oldest member of the F1 paddock this season, behind 41-year-old Alfa Romeo Kimi Raikkonen.
Fernando Alonso completed a number of tests in the final months of 2020 to prepare for his return to F1, undertaking a full official test at the season finale in Abu Dhabi in December.