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SAKHIR, BAHRAIN: Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren Honda watches the action in the pitlane during practice for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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SAKHIR, BAHRAIN: Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren Honda watches the action in the pitlane during practice for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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SAKHIR, BAHRAIN: Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren Honda watches the action in the pitlane during practice for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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SAKHIR, BAHRAIN: Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren Honda watches the action in the pitlane during practice for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Fans of Fernando Alonso and F1 were distressed to hear the news about the driver’s road cycling accident. However, a team statement from Alpine arrived soon after, emphasizing that the Spaniard is ‘conscious and well in himself’.
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Further medical examinations will determine if ‘Magic Alonso’ would be fit to race in the 2021 season opener in Bahrain. Should he decide to sit out the event, Alpine could have a few contenders, such as Guanyu Zhou or even Nico Hulkenberg to replace him.
Drivers in the past have suffered a few injuries that have kept them out of racing in an F1 season opener. So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of those –
Robert Kubica – Renault
Having tested the Renault R31 car in Valencia during official testing, Kubica looked all set to take part in the 2011 F1 season. However, he suffered a severe injury during a rally racing event in February and was forced to sit out for the entire campaign, before only fully returning with Williams in 2019.
Valtteri Bottas – Williams F1
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LE CASTELLET, FRANCE: Second place qualifier Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP looks on in parc ferme during qualifying for the F1 Grand Prix of France at Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
After sustaining tissue damage as part of a back injury during the 2015 Australian GP qualifying, the Finn was ruled out of participating in the grand event at Melbourne. Following his recovery, however, he came back to race in that year’s Malaysian Grand Prix.
Pascal Wehrlein – Sauber F1
Following a big crash in a Race of Champions’ event, Pascal endured a compression fracture in the neck. That kept him out of the season’s opening races in Australia and China. Having completed some rehabilitation, though, the German was back in the car to drive in the 2017 Bahrain GP.
Fernando Alonso – McLaren
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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren F1 walks in the Paddock after practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
After crashing in pre-season testing in Barcelona, Alonso reportedly suffered a concussion. The veteran Spaniard had to thus unfortunately sit out the 2015 Australian GP. Following a successful recovery, he returned almost immediately at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Therefore, it is obviously still early to predict whether Alonso will be out for the 2021 Bahrain GP. Hopefully then, in a few months’ time, the 39-year-old will be fit to drive.
In doing so, he will look to enthrall the audience with his racing once again, following a healthy recovery.
MORE – Three Drivers Who Could Stand In for Fernando Alonso at Alpine F1 in Bahrain