Fernando Alonso: McLaren driver 'sad and disappointed' not to be racing in Bahrain GP after failing medical test

Alonso suffered a heavy accident at the Australian Grand Prix and has not been cleared to race in Bahrain this morning

Fernando Alonso walks away from the crash (GETTY IMAGES)

Fernando Alonso will not race in the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend after the FIA refused to clear him on medical grounds following his horrific crash at the Australian Grand Prix two weeks ago.

Alonso’s McLaren hit the back of Esteban Gutierrez’s Haas F1 car at turn three of Albert Park circuit, spearing him into the concrete barrier a digging into the gravel trap and launching into a barrel roll. Alonso was able to remove himself from the wrecked MP4-31 despite landing upside down, but he limped away from the crash site and was clearly in some discomfort.

Alonso arrived at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on Thursday morning to undergo medical checks to determine whether he was fit to compete in the second grand prix of the season. But an FIA statement confirmed that the 34-year-old was not in a condition deemed acceptable to race, and he will not be allowed to take part in any of this weekend’s action.

Fernando Alonso's McLaren is lifted from the Albert Park circuit (Getty)

The statement read: “Following an examination undertaken this morning at the Bahrain International Circuit Medical Centre, it has been decided that McLaren Honda F1 Team driver Fernando Alonso should not take part in this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.

“Two sets of chest CT scans were compared and it was decided that there was insufficient resolution of the signs to allow him to compete on safety grounds.”

Alonso and Esteban Gutierrez talk after their crash at the Australian Grand Prix (Getty Images)

As well as not being allowed to race in Bahrain, the Spaniard will need to undergo and pass the same tests before the Chinese Grand Prix on 17-19 April.

“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 statement added.

The two-time world champion admitted that he was "sad and disappointed" with the outcome, but accepted the FIA's decision and did reveal that he was still in pain from the accident, with the left side of his rib cage the area causing most concerns.

"It is understandable and I respect the decision,” Alonso said in the drivers’ press conference shortly after the announcement was made. “I was ready to go through the pain in the car and make sure I could race."

Asked if he is confident of recovering in time to participate in China, Alonso seemed resigned to knowing that his fate was not in his own hands.

“It’s not 100 per cent,” he said. “We have another test that I need to do in the next eight or 10 days. After that test the FIA will evaluate again as they did now.”

Stoffel Vandoorne will stand in for Alonso at the Bahrain Grand Prix (2016 Getty Images)

McLaren confirmed that reserve driver and reigning GP2 champion Stoffel Vandoorne will replace Alonso this weekend, with the 24-year-old Belgian set to make his hotly-anticipated F1 with the grand prix not clashing with his Super Formula series commitments in Japan.