Alpine's surprise at Alonso's speedy recovery

Less than a month ago, Fernando Alonso was hit by a car while cycling in Switzerland. The two-time world champion subsequently had to undergo surgery for a broken jaw, but within two weeks he was back in full training for the new season.

Partly due to the aftermath of this accident, it was decided that he would not attend the unveiling of the Alpine A521 last week. Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi assured fans there, however, that the Spaniard is fully fit. A fact that surprised Rossi himself.

"Fernando is doing well," said the Frenchman at the presentation of the Alpine car. "He had a serious incident. A cycling accident rarely ends well, but he was lucky. Fernando is completely fit. We are even surprised how quickly he has recovered."

Alonso announced almost immediately after the accident that he will be present at the test in Bahrain. He seems to have been proved right, as the doctors have now also given the green light for this. "When I talk to him, I feel how strong his desire is to be back," said Davide Brivio, Alpine's new team manager.