McLaren quiet on Alonso's 'medical situation'

Feb.28 (GMM) McLaren has counted itself out of the continuing speculation about Fernando Alonso's medical condition.

Rumours have been rife ever since Sebastian Vettel said he witnessed the "strange" manner in which the Spaniard lost control of his McLaren last Sunday.

But amid continuing speculation about the nature of the crash, Ferrari's Vettel on Friday conceded that Alonso may simply have lost control in a gust of wind, as argued by McLaren.

"It was really windy that day," Vettel told reporters at the Barcelona test.

"I don't know what really happened. I was behind him, but a little too far behind to see how the accident began. I only saw the last part, when he hit the wall."

Alonso was knocked unconscious, and then spent the next four days in hospital.

The long hospitalisation and the fact Alonso has still not been cleared to drive despite McLaren saying he is "uninjured" has fuelled speculation the 33-year-old might have lost consciousness for some reason before crashing.

McLaren told us it will not answer questions on that topic.

"As regards answering ongoing questions as to Fernando's medical situation, McLaren will not and indeed should not take the lead, since his medical care is being handled by the people best equipped for that task, namely his doctors," a spokesman told us.

"So all we can say is that he is making good progress, and that we hope and expect he will soon be back to his brilliant best.

"We understand the media's thirst for further information, but as I say the remaining unanswered questions will be answered by doctors, not by formula one engineers," the McLaren official added.