[Fullrevs]

Winter testing is all over and just 3 weeks to go for the first race. Mercedes are on a league of their own but will be interesting to see Williams, Red Bull and Ferrari duke it out.

Impressive race simulations by Ferrari over the past two days. Kimi seems to have found new energy. Birth of a child can do wonders at times. :-)

[Fullrevs]

For those looking to know what the form book looks like after winter testing, here's a good report by Autosport.com. These guys know what they are talking about so this report can be considered accurate.

Testing report by autosport.com

[myavu]

Fernando Alonso pulls out of Australian Grand Prix

Source : http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117894

I can't understand this accident altogether. First they said strong wind, then battery fumes, then something else. The car looks fine after the crash and I had watched even worse crashes and drivers jumping into the car very next day.

Something fishy had happened for sure.

Cheers!

[anachronix]

I think its about time Mclaren Honda came out and told the F1 fans about what really happened!

[deetjohn]

So that Guardian report shared in the previous page was right on the money about Alonso. Safety first, so this decision makes sense I guess.

Malaysia is just 2 weeks after the season opener, and I hope he will be racing there.

[Fullrevs]

There were talks about lateral impacts and him being knocked unconscious. Definitely something fishy about it all.

Fernando's response:

Fernando Alonso says he fully understands the medical recommendation he sit out the 2015 season opener in Melbourne.
Alonso suffered a 134mph crash during the second test in Barcelona and was briefly knocked unconscious. He also suffered a concussion in the crash and this was enough to prompt a three-day stay in hospital and let to him missing the final Barcelona test.
On Tuesday McLaren confirmed doctors had recommended Alonso sit out the Australian Grand Prix as a precaution as they look to minimise the risk of Second Impact Syndrome, a serious injury which can occur when concussions are suffered in close proximity. After the news Alonso tweeted his disappointment he will not be competing in Melbourne but added that he understands the doctor's desire to be as safe as possible.

[myavu]

Did a 600 watt shock cause Alonso’s testing accident?

Sky Italia, the F1 broadcaster, claims the Spanish driver has confided to close friends and family that he suffered a “major shock in his spine” before losing control of his McLaren-Honda and striking the Barcelona wall.

Read more here: http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/03/...ting-accident/

[myavu]

As predicted earlier http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/intern...ml#post3528573

All new SAFETY CAR and MEDICAL CAR for F1 2015 - All New Mercedes-AMG GTS and C63 S



Source : http://www.netcarshow.com/mercedes-b...f1_safety_car/

Cheers!

Vinu

[deetjohn]

A detailed article on BBC on Alonso' crash. Fernando Alonso: Unanswered questions over F1 crash

Alonso was kept in hospital for three nights - at the upper limits of what would be expected for a concussion, doctors say - and then returned with his parents to the family home in Oviedo in northern Spain. On Thursday, 27 February - five days after the accident - Alonso released a video on YouTube in which he said he was "completely fine" and was looking forward to being in the car again "very soon".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxuVHLjuwkk

Five days later, on Tuesday this week, McLaren announced that Alonso would not race in Australia on medical advice to avoid the risk of 'second impact syndrome'.

Some excerpts from the article:

Originally Posted by BBC Sport

This writer has seen the GPS and lap-time data of both the lap on which the Spaniard crashed and the lap before. The computer telemetry from the car, which contains all the data, including braking and steering inputs, has not been released by McLaren.

What do we know about the accident?
Alonso loses control at a speed of about 215km/h (134mph), give or take a km/h or so. He was in a confused state when he regained consciousness, to the extent that he did not know he was a Formula 1 driver or why he was in the car. He was sedated at the circuit medical centre and flown quickly to hospital in Barcelona. He was diagnosed with concussion but all brain and body scans showed no indication of any abnormalities.

There was no evidence of electric shock, of epilepsy or any kind of seizure, or any other medical condition that might have explained why he had lost control of a car that McLaren say suffered no problems.

He did not remember the accident and it took some time for his awareness of who he was and important aspects of his life to return. This is called retrograde amnesia and is not abnormal in patients who have had a severe concussion. Dennis held a news conference on the Thursday after the accident at which he said Alonso was "not even concussed". This was inaccurate and a mistake.

Gary Hartstein, F1's chief medical officer from 2005-12, says this decision reflects the maturity of both Alonso and F1 when it comes to head injuries. "He knows about concussion," Hartstein told BBC Sport. "He takes it seriously. We've been at this subject for so long." Hartstein added: "So far, I don't find it odd. The timescale in terms of missing Australia is at the upper limit of everything, but it is consistent with a three-day stay in hospital. Therefore it makes sense for it to be a bit longer to get back in the car."

The part on retrograde amnesia is a little worrying. And I hope Alonso will be back for Malaysia. But if he pulls out from that, then there is something to be very worried about.

[anachronix]

The last couple of years have been bad for F1, losing some incredible talents through freak accidents, I am only worried about F1 losing Alonso the same way. I hope he comes back stronger in Malaysia!

[Hatari]

Personally I dont feel Alonso missing out in Melbourne is a big deal. McLaren are not going to finish in the points and in all probability not even the race. With nothing at stake, better to be safe and go by the doctor's advice.

[Fullrevs]

Fernando Alonso 'woke up thinking he was 13 years old and still driving go-karts'.

Article from the Daily Mail

Sensationalist newspaper and magazine but an interesting read still. It will be a big blow to Mclaren to not have their main driver on the grid in Australia. With Alonso in the car, anything is possible.

[ecenandu]

A brilliant video from Redbull racing. Starring, the smiling assassin aka Honey badger and the Russian

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmBO5DlVl54

[Hatari]

Anyone following the Sauber - Giedo van der Garde case?

Unacceptable how the team have treated him and shows a complete lack of respect for contracts.
How can a team sign 2 new drivers inspite of having another driver contracted for a race seat, shame to take his money to keep out of trouble and kick him out when new money comes in.

[s.prashanth]

who is showing the broadcast live on tv