Alonso airlifted to hospital
Discussion
Further update regarding Fernando Alonso
Posted on Monday, 23 Feb 2015 15:25 (GMT)
Statement from McLaren-Honda
Barcelona, February 23rd
We are pleased to confirm that, having been involved in an on-track incident at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain) on February 22nd, Fernando Alonso is making a solid recovery in hospital, and is chatting to family, friends and hospital staff.
From the scene of the incident he was driven to the circuit’s medical centre, where he was given first aid and, as per normal procedures, was sedated in preparation for an air-lift to hospital.
In hospital a thorough and complete analysis of his condition was performed, involving CT scans and MRI scans, all of which were completely normal.
In order to provide the privacy and tranquillity required to facilitate a peaceful recuperation, he is being kept in hospital for further observation, and to recover from the effects of the medication that successfully managed his routine sedation yesterday.
We intend to give him every opportunity to make a rapid and complete recovery, and will evaluate in due course whether or not he will participate in the next Barcelona test.
Over the past 24 hours, we have been carrying out a detailed analysis of the damage to Fernando’s car, and its associated telemetry data, in order fully to understand the cause, or causes, of his accident. Even at this early stage, we have been able to reach some firm conclusions.
His car ran wide at the entry to Turn Three – which is a fast uphill right-hander – allowing it to run onto the Astroturf that lines the outside of the track. A consequent loss of traction caused a degree of instability, spitting it back towards the inside of the circuit, where it regained traction and struck the wall side-on.
Our findings indicate that the accident was caused by the unpredictably gusty winds at that part of the circuit at that time, and which had affected other drivers similarly (eg, Carlos Sainz Jnr).
We can categorically state that there is no evidence that indicates that Fernando’s car suffered mechanical failure of any kind. We can also confirm that absolutely no loss of aerodynamic pressure was recorded, which fact indicates that the car did not suffer any aerodynamic loss, despite the fact that it was subjected to a significant level of g-force. Finally, we can also disclose that no electrical discharge or irregularity of any kind occurred in the car’s ERS system, either before, during or after the incident.
That last point refutes the erroneous rumours that have spread recently to the effect that Fernando was rendered unconscious by an electrical fault. That is simply not true. Our data clearly shows that he was downshifting while applying full brake pressure right up to the moment of the first impact – something that clearly would not have been possible had he been unconscious at the time.
Our data also confirms that Fernando’s car struck the inside concrete wall, first with its front-right wheel and then with its rear-right. It was a significant lateral impact, resulting in damage to the front upright and axle.
After the initial impact, the car slid down the wall for about 15 seconds before coming to a halt. All four wheels remained attached to the car, but no damage was sustained by the bodywork or crash structure between the front and rear wheels.
We wish Fernando a very speedy recovery. As and when we have further updates to share, we will of course do so.
Posted on Monday, 23 Feb 2015 15:25 (GMT)
Statement from McLaren-Honda
Barcelona, February 23rd
We are pleased to confirm that, having been involved in an on-track incident at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain) on February 22nd, Fernando Alonso is making a solid recovery in hospital, and is chatting to family, friends and hospital staff.
From the scene of the incident he was driven to the circuit’s medical centre, where he was given first aid and, as per normal procedures, was sedated in preparation for an air-lift to hospital.
In hospital a thorough and complete analysis of his condition was performed, involving CT scans and MRI scans, all of which were completely normal.
In order to provide the privacy and tranquillity required to facilitate a peaceful recuperation, he is being kept in hospital for further observation, and to recover from the effects of the medication that successfully managed his routine sedation yesterday.
We intend to give him every opportunity to make a rapid and complete recovery, and will evaluate in due course whether or not he will participate in the next Barcelona test.
Over the past 24 hours, we have been carrying out a detailed analysis of the damage to Fernando’s car, and its associated telemetry data, in order fully to understand the cause, or causes, of his accident. Even at this early stage, we have been able to reach some firm conclusions.
His car ran wide at the entry to Turn Three – which is a fast uphill right-hander – allowing it to run onto the Astroturf that lines the outside of the track. A consequent loss of traction caused a degree of instability, spitting it back towards the inside of the circuit, where it regained traction and struck the wall side-on.
Our findings indicate that the accident was caused by the unpredictably gusty winds at that part of the circuit at that time, and which had affected other drivers similarly (eg, Carlos Sainz Jnr).
We can categorically state that there is no evidence that indicates that Fernando’s car suffered mechanical failure of any kind. We can also confirm that absolutely no loss of aerodynamic pressure was recorded, which fact indicates that the car did not suffer any aerodynamic loss, despite the fact that it was subjected to a significant level of g-force. Finally, we can also disclose that no electrical discharge or irregularity of any kind occurred in the car’s ERS system, either before, during or after the incident.
That last point refutes the erroneous rumours that have spread recently to the effect that Fernando was rendered unconscious by an electrical fault. That is simply not true. Our data clearly shows that he was downshifting while applying full brake pressure right up to the moment of the first impact – something that clearly would not have been possible had he been unconscious at the time.
Our data also confirms that Fernando’s car struck the inside concrete wall, first with its front-right wheel and then with its rear-right. It was a significant lateral impact, resulting in damage to the front upright and axle.
After the initial impact, the car slid down the wall for about 15 seconds before coming to a halt. All four wheels remained attached to the car, but no damage was sustained by the bodywork or crash structure between the front and rear wheels.
We wish Fernando a very speedy recovery. As and when we have further updates to share, we will of course do so.
Edited by VladD on Thursday 26th February 14:07
Edited by VladD on Thursday 26th February 14:08
VladD said:
It's still 3 days ago.Do you mean this one:
Statement from McLaren-Honda
Barcelona, February 25
Following his testing accident at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last Sunday, we are pleased to confirm that Fernando Alonso has now left hospital. He has returned to his family’s home in Spain for further rest and recuperation.
As a result, he will sit out this week’s final winter test, at which he was due to share driving duties with Jenson Button. Kevin Magnussen, McLaren-Honda’s test and reserve driver, will replace him.
Jenson will be testing the McLaren-Honda car tomorrow (February 26), and the team will confirm the full day-to-day running order in due course.
VladD said:
I posted it because the crash was explained days ago and yet people are still speculating now.
Yes and no..But now they say he was unconscious. Let's be generous and say their statement was "incomplete". It rushed to say everything was fine and would been better to say "he is in hospital, responding well and we will investigate" etc
Vaud said:
VladD said:
I posted it because the crash was explained days ago and yet people are still speculating now.
Yes and no..But now they say he was unconscious. Let's be generous and say their statement was "incomplete". It rushed to say everything was fine and would been better to say "he is in hospital, responding well and we will investigate" etc
Where have they contradicted anything that's since come to light?
dr_gn said:
It's just a "yes".
Where have they contradicted anything that's since come to light?
Posted on Sunday, 22 Feb 2015 14:06 (GMT)Where have they contradicted anything that's since come to light?
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.
We will issue a further update in due course.
Actually I should have been clearer - it was this release that was wrong; they now say he was briefly unconscious and did not respond to contact.
Anyhow, an odd collision, an odd recuperation and I hope he is on the grid; he in an excellent driver.
Now McLaren are saying they're not sure if Alonso will even make the first race "McLaren F1 team unsure if Fernando Alonso can race in Australian GP" - a sportsman of world championship winning stature would never even consider not being there to compete if at all possible. I know at the moment it's all hearsay etc, but I genuinely hope Alonso is ok.
allsop83 said:
Slid down the wall for 15 SECONDS after impact.....? Really? 15 seconds?
That's a lifetime in an F1 car no? Especially if he was braking?
...because according to Ron, "Fernando was cognitively inoperative and unresponsive to external stimuli for the periodic time between the unexpected MP-30 / wall interaction and the point at which he re-booted 'a short while' afterwards".That's a lifetime in an F1 car no? Especially if he was braking?
Gaz. said:
Flying Toilet said:
He could of still down shifted while semi conscious, Didn't Massa make a effort to brake when he was clobbered in the head?
Nope, just a reflex to press both pedals 100% hence the engine screaming until the marshal switched it off.> During the 2 seconds Bianchi’s car was leaving the track and traversing the run-off area, he applied both throttle and brake together, using both feet. The FailSafe algorithm is designed to over-ride the throttle and cut the engine, but was inhibited by the Torque Coordinator, which controls the rear Brake-by-Wire system. Bianchi’s Marussia has a unique design of BBW, which proved to be incompatible with the FailSafe settings. - See more at: http://www.fia.com/news/accident-panel#sthash.ZFEC...
BritishRacinGrin said:
...because according to Ron, "Fernando was cognitively inoperative and unresponsive to external stimuli for the periodic time between the unexpected MP-30 / wall interaction and the point at which he re-booted 'a short while' afterwards".
Given that the car supposedly ran along the wall for 15sec before stopping, that suggests Alonso was also unconscious for 15sec or so. mko9 said:
BritishRacinGrin said:
...because according to Ron, "Fernando was cognitively inoperative and unresponsive to external stimuli for the periodic time between the unexpected MP-30 / wall interaction and the point at which he re-booted 'a short while' afterwards".
Given that the car supposedly ran along the wall for 15sec before stopping, that suggests Alonso was also unconscious for 15sec or so. Speed Badger said:
I have a name, a place and a number.
Robert Kubica, Canada, 2007.
Awesome - totally no relevance at all. Robert Kubica, Canada, 2007.
http://youtu.be/AtrzvwayniM
Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff