Fernando Alonso Injury: Updates on McLaren F1 Driver's Chest and Return

Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has been ruled out of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix by medics. He will be examined again ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, which begins on April 15.

Continue for updates.

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Vandoorne to Replace Injured Alonso in Bahrain

Thursday, March 31

As reported by Andrew Benson of BBC Sport, the McLaren man was checked over by doctors ahead of practice and was prohibited from competing as the scans on his chest showed "insufficient resolution of the signs to allow him to race.”

Benson noted that ahead of the examination Alonso felt fine and wanted to take part in the Bahrain showpiece, but the FIA have ruled otherwise.

Formula One reporter Tobi Gruner posted the full press release from the FIA on social media, outlining further details of the examination and when Alonso is set to return:

On their official Twitter feed the McLaren team confirmed that Stoffel Vandoorne will replace Alonso for the race on Sunday. It'll be the Belgian's first ever outing in Formula One.

The Spaniard was involved in a remarkable crash at the Australian Grand Prix in the season curtain-raiser, which saw his car vault into the air and into the barriers at the Melbourne circuit. Here’s a clip of the spectacular incident, per David St. Martin:

Incredibly the former Ferrari star was able to walk away from that smash, but his recovery has not been sufficient enough for him to take to the circuit this weekend.

Alonso and McLaren will be disappointed by this outcome, with the team seeking to bounce back from a poor season in 2015 with a strong start to the season. Jenson Button, the team’s other driver, finished in a lowly 14th spot in Week 1 of the campaign.