Fernando Alonso hit by car while biking, should recover before season opener (3rd Update)

Double Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso said he was well and looking forward to the start of the season after fracturing his jaw in a road accident while cycling in Switzerland.

“Thanks for all your wishes, I’m OK and looking forward to getting 2021 underway,” the 39-year-old, who is preparing for his Formula One comeback after two years’ absence, said on Twitter.

A police report of Thursday’s incident said Alonso was hit by a car driven by a 42-year-old Swiss in Viganello, near Lugano.

The car was turning left into a supermarket car park when it collided with Alonso who was coming from the opposite direction past a queue of stationary cars, it added.

Alpine said Alonso was taken to hospital and kept under observation.

“Medics discovered a fracture in his upper jaw and conducted a successful corrective operation. The attending medical team are satisfied with his progress.

“Looking forward, after a few days of complete rest, he will be able to progressively resume training.”

ALPINE F1 TEAM STATEMENT 12TH FEBRUARY 2021

Following his cycling accident yesterday Fernando Alonso was kept under observation in hospital in Switzerland. Medics discovered a fracture in his upper jaw and conducted a successful corrective operation. The attending medical team are satisfied with his progress.

Fernando will remain under observation in hospital for a further 48 hours.

Looking forward, after a few days of complete rest, he will be able to progressively resume training. We expect him be fully operational to undertake preparation for the season.

Alpine F1 Team and Fernando thank you for your wishes and will issue further updates when appropriate.

(GMM) Fernando Alonso may be heading into surgery on Friday to repair a potentially broken jaw and teeth.

Alpine has confirmed alarming reports that the 39-year-old Spaniard was struck by a car on Thursday whilst road cycling near his home in Switzerland.

With the season opening Bahrain GP looming in March, the Enstone based team said Alonso is “conscious and well in himself” and will undergo further tests on Friday morning.

Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport says the two-time world champion never lost consciousness but may need surgery for a jaw fracture and tooth damage.

He will reportedly be transferred to a specialist hospital in Bern for the operation.

The Spanish sports daily Marca said doctors are optimistic that Alonso, whose injuries are reportedly “not serious”, will be well enough for the start of official testing mid next month.

“If there is a mandibular fracture, the tests will be because they want to see if there is a displacement and whether to put a plate on it,” a medical specialist, Dr Jose Gonzalez, is quoted by Spain’s AS newspaper.

“If it really is a clean fracture, there should be no need for further testing. Either way, whatever it is, it is not a major injury.

“It can be said, with almost complete certainty, that he will be at the pre-season tests in Bahrain without any problems,” Dr Gonzalez added.

The police report, published by the canton of Ticino, revealed further details of how the accident happened.

It stated that Alonso was cycling through the Viganello district of Lugano when he was struck by a car, driven by a 42-year-old, approaching from the opposite direction, as it turned across him into a supermarket parking lot.

2-time F1 World Driving Champion, and new Alpine Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso has been taken to a hospital after being involved in an accident while riding his bike in Lugano, Switzerland.

Alonso was taken to hospital following the accident, but is conscious and “well in himself” (whatever that means) according to a statement from the Alpine F1 squad. Word is he fractured his jaw.

“Alpine F1 Team can confirm that Fernando Alonso has been involved in a road accident while cycling in Switzerland.”

“Fernando is conscious and well in himself and is awaiting further medical examinations tomorrow morning.

“Alpine F1 Team will not make any further statement at this point in time. Further updates will be given tomorrow.”