Formula 1 ace Fernando Alonso is rushed to hospital after being run over while cycling in Switzerland
- The 39-year-old is conscious following incident in Lugano in south of country
- Initial unconfirmed reports say he may have suffered broken bones
- Has been preparing return to F1 with Alpine – previously known as Renault
Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso has been rushed to hospital after being run over while cycling near his home in Switzerland.
The 39-year-old is conscious following the incident in Lugano, in the south of the country, and will undergo further tests on Friday.
Initial unconfirmed reports say he may have suffered broken bones in the incident, which happened while he was training on his bike.
Alonso has been preparing his return to Formula 1 with Alpine – previously known as Renault – after a two-year absence from the sport.
Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso has been rushed to hospital after being run over while cycling in Switzerland (file photo)
Alonso has been in a relationship with Italian model Linda Morselli since 2016. Pictured: The couple together in 2017 attending the FIA Hall of Fame Induction ceremony at Automobile Club De France
‘Alpine F1 team can confirm that Fernando Alonso has been involved in a road accident while cycling in Switzerland,’ a team statement read.
‘Fernando is conscious and well in himself and is awaiting further medical examinations tomorrow morning.’
Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper reported earlier that the Spaniard had been hit by a car while training on his bike near Lugano and was taken to hospital.
Alpine, formerly known as Renault and renamed after the French manufacturer’s sportscar brand, said there would be no further updates on Thursday.
The Gazzetta reported that initial X-rays suggested possible fractures and questioned whether Alonso would be able to start the season.
The Formula One championship is due to begin in Bahrain on March 28.
Alonso has been in a relationship with Italian model Linda Morselli since 2016.
Alonso has been preparing his return to Formula 1 with new team Alpine – which is operated by Renault – after a two-year absence from the sport
The Spaniard claimed both his F1 titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006 and this season will be his third stint with the constructor
Alonso, who helped Toyota win the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in 2018 and 2019, is set to make a full-time return to F1 after he signed for Alpine for the 2021 campaign.
The Spaniard claimed both his F1 titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006 and this season will be his third stint with the constructor.
Alonso left Formula One in 2018 after an unsuccessful four-year second stint with McLaren.
He previously drove for the team for a single season in 2007 but fell out with team bosses during a tumultuous battle with his then-rookie teammate Lewis Hamilton, who was in his first season in the sport.
Alonso then returned to Renault for the 2008 and 2009 seasons before racing with Ferrari from 2010 until 2014.
Overall, he has won 32 races out of 311 race starts, placing him sixth on the all-time winners list.
Alonso, who helped Toyota win the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in 2018 and 2019, is set to make a full-time return to F1 after he signed for Alpine for the 2021 campaign
During his stint away from Formula One, Alonso has also raced in US series IndyCar and the Dakar Rally.
He is set to be partnered at Alpine this coming season by younger driver Esteban Ocon, who also raced for the then Renault team last year.
Testing for the new season is taking place in the middle eastern country between March 12-14.
‘Just heard about my friend Fernando Alonso’s accident, I wish him a speedy recovery,’ Yazeed Al-Rajhi, who raced against Alonso at the 2020 Dakar Rally, said on Twitter.
‘Sending our well wishes to @alo-oficial after being involved in a cycling accident,’ the British Racing Drivers’ Club posted on the social media platform.
Alonso, a winner of 32 grands prix who left F1 at the end of 2018, previously missed the start of the 2015 season with an injury, having to sit out the Australian Grand Prix with concussion.