Alonso to drive simulator to prepare for Malaysian GP

LONDON — Fernando Alonso will return to McLaren’s factory in Woking this week to drive their simulator to see whether he is able to return to Formula 1.

The Spaniard, who missed the first race of the year after sustaining a concussion in a testing accident, will drive the Sepang circuit in the state-of-the-art facility in a bid to prepare for the Malaysian Grand Prix.

The Spaniard’s accident and condition have provoked speculation since he hit a wall at the Circuit de Catalunya in pre-season testing on Feb 22.

Alonso, who re-signed for McLaren this year on US$40 million (S$55.6 million) a year, was forced to miss the first race in Australia. The uncertainty surrounding the cause of his accident — and his three-day hospital stay — has led many to suggest that he may have an unknown illness.

McLaren’s simulator is able to recreate track conditions but not the searing heat. Asked whether the two-time world champion would have a track test before Malaysia, a McLaren spokesman confirmed the simulator programme, but said the rest of his preparation was confidential.

Alonso, 33, also plans to take the FIA’s medical test, which he must pass to race in Kuala Lumpur. The test uses a computer programme to measure a driver’s ability to perform physical and mental exercises.

Usually conducted once every one or two years, this test is normally done at the circuit on the Thursday before a race. But, given that there would be little point in Alonso travelling to Malaysia unless he is passed fit to race, it is thought that it will be done before then.

Alonso is said to be concerned by the unexplained nature of the crash, and his subsequent memory loss. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH