Fernando Alonso discharged from hospital, but will miss rest of testing

After almost 72 hours under observation, Spanish Formula 1 star Fernando Alonso was discharged from hospital on Wednesday. The McLaren driver was taken to the intensive care unit at the Hospital General de Catalunya on Sunday after suffering a mysterious accident during testing at the Montmeló circuit in Barcelona.

For reasons that the team has attributed to high winds, the driver veered off the track and smashed his car into a wall at 150km/h. Knocked unconscious by the impact, he was taken by helicopter to hospital, where he has been subjected to a number of tests. He did not suffer any injuries, both his team and his agent have said.

The team has strenuously denied rumors that Alonso may have been unconscious in the car before the crash took place.

The team strenuously denied rumors Alonso may have been unconscious in the car before the crash took place

“Fernando is fine,” explained Luis García Abad, the double world champion’s agent. “He is going home now to rest. He will be back soon, when he is ready.”

McLaren confirmed on Wednesday that he would be sitting out this week’s final pre-season testing in Barcelona. Kevin Magnussen, who was one of McLaren’s drivers last year, will complete the testing session, which will run from February 26 to March 1.

Alonso left hospital by car on Wednesday without making a statement to the media scrum outside. Several hours before, his team principal, Eric Boullier, had paid him a visit.