Yahoo Finance F1 driver Fernando Alonso suffers fractured jaw in cycling accident
Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso has been hospitalized after an incident while he was cycling in Switzerland.
His Alpine F1 team — formerly the Renault team — said in a statement on Thursday that Alonso was "conscious and well in himself." Friday, the team said that Alonso had suffered a fractured jaw in the incident and was recovering after surgery.
Alpine F1 Team Statement pic.twitter.com/P2yXlpyCBj
— Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) February 12, 2021
“Following his cycling accident yesterday, Fernando Alonso was kept under observation in hospital in Switzerland," the statement said. "Medics discovered a fracture in his upper jaw and conducted a successful corrective operation. The attending medical team are satisfied with his progress.”
Italy's Gazzetta said that X-rays showed Alonso suffered the fracture after he was reportedly hit by a car while he was cycling. The team said Alonso is expected to be ready for the start of the season.
“After a few days of complete rest, he will be able to progressively resume training," Alpine F1 said. "We expect him to be fully operational to undertake preparation for the season.”
Alonso, 39, is returning to Formula 1 in 2021 for the first time since he drove for McLaren in 2018. He spent the past two seasons racing cars in various series, including the 2020 Indianapolis 500. He finished 21st after he failed to qualify in 2019.
Alonso also raced in the 2018 and 2019 Rolex 24s at Daytona. He was part of the Wayne Taylor Racing team that won the race in 2019.
The 2005 and 2006 Formula 1 champion, Alonso has won 32 races and scored 97 podiums in 312 career starts, though it’s been a while since his last podium. He last won in F1 in 2013 and his most recent podium came a year later in Hungary while he was driving for Ferrari.
Alonso raced for Renault when he won his two F1 titles and is returning to replace Daniel Ricciardo as Ricciardo is moving to McLaren. Alonso will be teammates with Esteban Ocon.
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