Fernando Alonso Fails Medical Check, Will Not Race in Bahrain

The news comes after Fernando went through a truly scary crash during the 2016 Melbourne Grand Prix, only to emerge relatively unharmed from the single-seater wreckage. Apparently, the driver wasn't as well as he first seemed, because he failed a medical check taken at the Bahrain International Circuit ahead of this weekend's race.

“Two sets of chest CT scans were compared and it was decided that there was insufficient resolution if the signs to allow him to compete on safety grounds. A repeat chest scan has been requested before the Chinese Grand Prix, and the results will be considered before allowing him to race there.” the FIA statement mentioned.

It should be noted that Alonso is in no immediate medical danger, although the FIA doctors have decided that he is definitely not fit to race because the risks would be too high. Keep in mind that modern F1 drivers are subjected to over 4 Gs of lateral force during braking and cornering, which is not something you want to experience when your CT scans show that you should be resting.

McLaren-Honda has also issued a statement regarding the matter, and it looks like the 2016 Bahrain Grand Prix will be the place where 24-year-old Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne makes his Formula 1 debut.

According to McLaren, he will be on hand during both Free Practice sessions on Friday, third Free Practice and qualifications on Saturday, and during the race on Sunday.

So far, Vandoorne has been McLaren's reserve driver, so it should be interesting to see how he stacks up against his team-mate, Jenson Button, especially compared to Fernando Alonso. Hopefully, the Spaniard will be fit enough for the third race in China, but only time will tell.