[fia=1] [f1x2]UPDATE: Fernando Alonso says steering Locked

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[fia=1] [f1x2]UPDATE: Fernando Alonso says steering Locked Feb 25, 2015 19:15:07 GMT -6

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Post by n7thGear™ on Feb 25, 2015 19:15:07 GMT -6

FIA investigating Alonso testing crash in Barcelona

The FIA is investigating Fernando Alonso’s testing crash which will see the McLaren driver miss Formula 1’s third pre-season test at Barcelona.

The motor sport governing body will now aim to gather data surrounding the accident at the Catalunya circuit which saw the double world champion spend three days in hospital to recover from a concussion.

n7thGear

Alonso’s length of stay in hospital has prompted the investigation while several theories have circulated as to the cause and immediate aftermath of the incident.

The good news today is that McLaren Honda driver Fernando Alonso has left hospital and is now recovering at a family home in Spain after three days hospital observation following his testing accident in Barcelona.
(McLaren confirmed the 33-year-old has been discharged from hospital and will return home to aid his recovery, rendering him unavailable for this week’s test at the Barcelona circuit.)

He will not be testing this week in Barcelona and we await an update on whether he will be fit to race in Australia.

McLaren issued a statement shortly after the accident claiming the crash was caused by an unexpected gust of wind.

The Woking team has refuted claims that Alonso was knocked unconscious.

“We will be looking very carefully at what happened,” said an FIA spokesman.

“We want to know what took place, so we will be gathering all the information that we can – as well as fully co-operating with McLaren.”

The accident in Barcelona was not the biggest accident of his career, or the most severe in recent F1 accidents but the way that the medical care around him was conducted has raised a lot of ~~conspiracy theories~~ ~~speculations~~ questions about what happened to cause the accident and what is was actually wrong with Alonzo.

Despite several statements issued by McLaren that aimed to shoot down any conspiracy theories and describing the incident as a “normal testing accident”, by blaming it on a gust of wind and saying that Alonso merely suffered a concussion, a widespread gust of doubt ensued in the media, among his fans and the F1 community as a whole.

Insiders are equally confused about the circumstances. Normally the people at the top of other teams know the inside story, but not in this case.

Insiders are left feeling dumbfounded as to why Alonso spent three nights in hospital for a concussion from a relatively moderate speed that was a side impact accident and believe things are not adding up. They analyse that the accident was not severe enough to cause damage to his race car significantly, nor did the accident require him to use a surgical collar for a neck injury, (for example, based on the photo below which was tweeted.)

It is reported that Felipe Massa was kept under observation for only a few hours after his accident in the Canadian GP last June when he suffered a concussion. They feel that 3 days for a much less severe impact is an altogether different matter, even though the third night was not spent in an IC unit but in a private room.

It has even been speculation that Alonso may have received an electric shock from the ERS somehow, which knocked him out. Supposedly a spectator had footage showing Alonzo unconcious at the time the medical team arrived to him.

Engineers report that this is possible if the driver’s body connects two parts of the car which are at different potential and he makes the connection. It is pointed out, however, that this is highly unlikely, (according to engineers), as there are all kinds of failsafe systems and the car has multiple connections to ensure that there is no variation in potential from one part to another. As an example, this follows a BMW Sauber mechanic doing just that in the early days of KERS when he suffered a mild burn to the hand.

Also, there is the fact that McLaren mechanics and marshals attended the car without using rubber gloves,( according to the photos), so that pretty much puts to bed the electric shock theory since they were not concerned about electric shock and did not receive one. As well, the ERS warning light was not in warning mode.

Another possibility put forward by medics is that Alonso had some form of seizure or fit either while driving or after the accident, which is possible in adults who have never had a fit before. If that were the case then medics say that a stay in hospital of three days would be appropriate to run tests on possible causes and to see whether he had a repeat episode. Again, Alonso was reported to be blacked out when marshals attended him and did not have the strength to lift himself out of the car. He was reported to have been suffering from nausea and headaches while in hospital.

A fit or seizure can be caused by many things, including a brain tumor, but the fact that Alonso was released from hospital to go home today indicates that this can also be ruled out,( according to medics).

It is also speculated that it was possible that the light side impact (with the rear right wheel taking the largest hit), transferred a shock into his head and spine and this accounts for his blackout and nausea.

He looked well when he arrived in Oviedo with his girlfriend. There is a real sense of mystery amongst those in F1 about this accident. Hopefully the worst is behind him and he is feeling better! Such a pretty smile on his face and what cool shoes!

(My opinion is that any accident or injury should always be investigated irregardless of people feeling there's an underlying conspiracy theory. If he was airlifted to a hospital and released an hour later, it should still be investigated. I don't believe there is such a thing as a minor accident in F1 or any motorsport where speed and something amiss could turn into a grave disaster.)
n7thGear

Reserve driver Kevin Magnussen has been called upon to replace Alonso at this week’s test and will share the running with Jenson Button.

Fernando Alonzo

25 febbraio 2015 – Il caso più controverso di questo inizio mondiale, lo strano incidente occorso a Fernando Alonso al volante della sua McLaren durante l’ultimo giorno di test in pista a Barcellona, sarà oggetto di un’investigazione della Federazione Internazionale dell’Automobile, volta a fare chiarezza sulle cause che hanno determinato la inusuale uscita di pista dello spagnolo.

Qualcosa si muove. La FIA ha confermato oggi pomeriggio che aprirà un’inchiesta per appurare le cause che hanno portato domenica scorsa al ricovero del pilota asturiano Fernando Alonso in seguito a un impatto con il muretto interno alla curva 3 della pista di Barcellona, le cui dinamiche sono parzialmente oscure.

A convincere la FIA a intervenire sono stati i tre giorni di ricovero cui è stato costretto Fernando Alonso, dimesso questo pomeriggio dall’Hospital General de Catalunya di Sant Cugat, sebbene la Federazione non sia organizzatrice in prima persona dei test invernali, gestiti dai team.

Fonti interne alla FIA, riportate da più parti sulla stampa internazionale, hanno confermato che le telecamere a circuito chiuso dell’impianto erano ovviamente in funzione durante l’incidente e che i filmati verranno utilizzati per comprendere nel miglior modo possibile la dinamica di quanto accaduto domenica scorsa sul tracciato catalano.

Nel filmato a bassa qualità, ripreso da una telecamera posta vicino alla curva 4, si vedrebbe l’auto di Alonso che va larga, cerca di correggere la traiettoria, rallenta e poi impatta con il muretto sul lato interno. Un portavoce della Federazione ha dichiarato: “Prenderemo in considerazione molto attentamente quanto accaduto, vogliamo vederci chiaro e raccoglieremo tutte le informazioni necessarie. Ovviamente in pieno accordo con la McLaren“.

E a proposito di filmati, di seguito pubblichiamo il video di Fernando Alonso che lascia l’ospedale di Sant Cugat nel quale ha passato le ultime tre notti.

Tags: Mclaren Honda Fernando Alonzo, FIA to investigate Alonzo's accident in Barcelona

Last Edit: Mar 26, 2015 3:12:21 GMT -6 by n7thGear™

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[fia=1] [f1x2]UPDATE: Fernando Alonso says steering Locked Feb 27, 2015 8:49:51 GMT -6

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Post by n7thGear™ on Feb 27, 2015 8:49:51 GMT -6

Alonso thanks fans for support after crash

Fernando Alonso has posted a video on his YouTube account thanking fans for their support and promising them he will seen them "very soon on the track".

Alonso was knocked unconscious during an unusual but serious crash on the final day of the second test in Barcelona. He was airlifted to a hospital for precautionary checks and stayed there for three days.

The Spaniard is missing the third and final test this week on recommendations of the doctors and is yet to be cleared to drive in the Australian Grand Prix on March 15, though McLaren CEO Ron Dennis is confident he can pass the necessary FIA check-ups required to race. On Friday, during lunch time of the second day of the final test, Alonso posted a short video for his supporters thanking them for his support and re-assuring them he is feeling healthy.

"As you can see, I'm completely fine and would like to be in the test this week in Barcelona but the doctors recommendations are to wait a little bit - a couple of days," Alonso said. "I will rest this weekend and I will keep you updated next week with progress and see you very soon on the track. Thanks very much for the support."

McLaren frustrated by media speculation

As sections of the media continue to speculate over the cause of Fernando Alonso's accident, McLaren was asked to explain why further details haven't been forthcoming.

In spite of the team's press releases, a Barcelona press briefing given by team boss Ron Dennis, and even the re-assurances of Alonso himself, many in the media continue their criticism of the team for not supplying more information.

Many eyes are pointing in McLaren-Honda's direction, wondering if the Woking camp is being defensive in order to protect itself or its star driver.

For instance, when Ron Dennis addressed the ranks of international media on Thursday, he failed to present any video, medical or telemetry data to back the official story.

Felipe Massa, however, hit back at the conspiracies.

"Why would McLaren lie?" said the Brazilian. "They know perfectly well that the FIA investigation will reveal everything."

The media wants to know ow an apparently minor accident, causing little visible damage to the MP4-30, could have damaged Alonso the point that he was knocked out, left with amnesia, and needed four days in hospital.

They also wonder why he's sitting out this week's Barcelona testing and is even in doubt for the Australian GP in two weeks.

Romain Grosjean, however, told reporters that he can imagine how the damage was done.

"If you hit sideways," said the Frenchman, "the wishbones are not designed to break that way. If it stays in one piece, the energy has to go somewhere and that's in the driver."

McLaren may not have divulged telemetry evidence, but GPS data of the crash has now emerged.

Auto Motor und Sport said the speed of Alonso's crash was calculated based on rival teams' GPS information, showing that the 33-year-old lost control in turn three at just 135kph -- much slower than if he had been on the limit.

He hit the wall at 105kph, the report added.

The German report also claimed that the first impact was recorded at 31G in the car, but just 16G in the accelerometer located in Alonso's ear.

And Auto Motor und Sport continued: "Alonso's helmet looked brand new, as though it had come straight out of the packet. Not a single scratch."

Correspondent Michael Schmidt quoted a paddock voice as saying: "Maybe Fernando had a medical problem, such as a small stroke.

"That would better explain the doctor's caution and the long hospitalisation."

A McLaren spokesman gave the following explanation:

"The day after the accident, we issued a press release, the chief purpose of which was urgently to correct a series of erroneous media reports to the effect that Fernando's accident had been caused by a variety of car-related issues." he said.

"As regards answering ongoing questions as to Fernando's medical situation, McLaren will not and indeed should not take the lead, since his medical care is being handled by the people best equipped for that task, namely his doctors.

"So all we can say is that he is making good progress, and that we hope and expect he will soon be back to his brilliant best. We understand the media's thirst for further information, but as I say the remaining unanswered questions will be answered by doctors, not by Formula 1 engineers."

(well said McLaren-Honda)

Last Edit: Feb 27, 2015 10:14:39 GMT -6 by n7thGear™: News Development

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[fia=1] [f1x2]UPDATE: Fernando Alonso says steering Locked Mar 4, 2015 14:45:44 GMT -6

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Post by Stigman on Mar 4, 2015 14:45:44 GMT -6

There is a lot of speculation about that crash. Why all the secrecy about removing every fan video out there, and any close up photos of the car? Because there was hardly any damage to the car (I did see a good photo early on which has apparently been removed), which begs explanation. I know the famous case of Earnhardt in a relatively light crash having his neck snapped, and of course there is the Schumacher skiing accident which at first hand didn't seem very bad, but really, in a modern F1 car, that has barely grazed the wall at a relatively low speed, how could Alonso have suffered a concussion at all? Reports talk of his head being already leaning on the side of the car before the accident, and of course some have brought up the chance of electrocution, which makes some sense.

I don't have any answers, but sure do have a lot of questions. Too bad nobody is handing out answers.

Lets see more of that Ricciardo smile!

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[fia=1] [f1x2]UPDATE: Fernando Alonso says steering Locked Mar 26, 2015 3:10:57 GMT -6

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Post by n7thGear™ on Mar 26, 2015 3:10:57 GMT -6

Fernando Alonso says steering locked for Barcelona testing crash
Spaniard contradicts McLaren's explanation and describes 'gust of wind' theory as a 'guess' and 'unhelpful'; Alonso also denies waking up in 1995

Fernando Alonso Press Conference FIA Steering Wheel Locked McLaren

Fernando Alonso Press Conference FIA Steering Wheel Locked McLaren

Speaking ahead of his F1 return at this weekend’s Malaysia GP, the Spaniard said he remembered everything about the crash at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya on February 22 and rubbished claims he woke up believing the year was 1995 after being knocked out in the crash.

More dramatically, the McLaren driver also flatly denied the team's announcement that a gust of wind was to blame for the loss of control and said he believed the steering locked on his MP4-30.

Speaking to the media for the first time since the accident on his return to the F1 paddock, Alonso was asked to confirm whether the crash was caused by driver error or an unpredictable gust of wind. "No, definitely not," he replied.

"I don’t know if you’ve seen the video, but even a hurricane will not move the car at that speed. Also if you have any problem or any medical issue normally you will lose the power and go straight to the outside, never to the inside. In a Formula 1 car you still need to apply some effort to the steering wheel.

"Obviously with the accident, with the repercussion of the accident, it being in Spain with a lot of attention on that day and probably the first answers or the first press conference that the team had and my manager and all the staff had around in these first early days it was just some guess. The wind, maybe other possibilities, and that creates a bit of confusion obviously but you cannot say nothing for three or four days until I remember everything because these three or four days would become even worse. So I think they said the theory of the wind etcetera, but obviously it was not a help.”

“I didn't wake up in 1995, I didn't wake up speaking Italian, like some of the things that were probably out there,” he joked. “I remember the accident, I remembered everything the following day.

“It was more or less as a normal concussion. I went to the hospital in good conditions, but there is a time I don't remember in the hospital – 2pm to 6pm, something like that - but it was normal due to the medication they give you to go into the helicopter.

“In the data there is nothing clear that we can spot, the reason, but we had a steering problem in turn three. It locked to the right and I approached the wall, I braked at the last moment, I downshifted from fifth to third but unfortunately on the data we are still missing something [information].

Fernando Alonso Catalunya Accident Confirms Steering Wheel Locked

Fernando Alonso Catalunya Accident Confirms Steering Wheel Locked

“With an accident in Spain, a lot of attention on that day, so the first press conference the team had it was some guesses, so it created a bit of confusion. You can't say anything for three or four days before I remember everything, but this theory of the wind, it was not that.”

Furthermore, Alonso also says he quickly remembered the entirety of the crash and was remained conscious throughout his time in the car, contrary to McLaren's initial claims.

“I can remember everything. All the set-up changes, all of the lap times, Vettel was in front of me before turn three but he cut the chicane to let me go, after the hit I switched off the radio first and then I switched off the master switch just because the marshals were coming. I was perfectly conscious at that time.”

"Probably also the acquisition data on that particular area of the car is not at the top so there are some new sensors here at this race and some changes that we do on the steering rack and other parts. The last week at the factory was more of work on the simulator and trying to explain all these new sensors and new parts that will go into this race."

Alonso revealed that he had requested some changes to the driving rack in his MP4-30 on his return to McLaren at the start of the year to suit his driving style, but "here we will go back to the normal driving rack they have been using for Jenson and Kevin over the last couple of years"

But despite conceding that "maybe it will never be" clear what caused his steering wheel to lock at Barcelona, the former world champion insisted he had no safety concerns about returning to the MP4-30 this weekend.

"Of course there are some actions for this race but there are zero problems or worries on my side. Everything is okay," he added.

(see, that's why I do not not to post speculations---aside from Audi entering F1, hehe) Will be good to see him back on the grid this weekend!

Fernando Alonso @alo_oficial ·

Green light to race. Thanks to @fia and @mclarenf1 for the work, professionalism and help on this last month. #ready

Nico Rosberg @nico_rosberg ·

@alo_oficial fernando, great that you are back! good luck for the weekend #MalaysianGP

Jenson Button @jensonbutton ·

Good to see that my team mate @alo_oficial and @valtteribottas are back on track this weekend. #Racingunited

Last Edit: Mar 26, 2015 3:18:48 GMT -6 by n7thGear™

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Stigman LMP 1 (Veteran) Posts: 73 SIM Racing Titles you are playing in: Real Racing 3	[fia=1] [f1x2]UPDATE: Fernando Alonso says steering Locked Mar 28, 2015 5:39:06 GMT -6 n7thGear™ likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Stigman on Mar 28, 2015 5:39:06 GMT -6 It actually sound the most plausible of the excuses that have come from Mclaren. Glad Alonso is back, but not sure I can stand watching him toodle around with Manor.
	Lets see more of that Ricciardo smile!

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[fia=1] [f1x2]UPDATE: Fernando Alonso says steering Locked Mar 28, 2015 10:13:10 GMT -6 n7thGear™ likes this

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Post by Stig's US Cuz'n on Mar 28, 2015 10:13:10 GMT -6

There's more to this than meets the eye. I certainly don't know what it is, but I think the bigger problem is that the McLaren wonks don't know either. Their confusion is further confounded by having Alonso speaking his mind in stark contrast to what they are saying. The Mighty Mac is not used to a driver saying non-approved words. It's my opinion Alonso might have the weightiest opinion, seeing as how it was his ass in the seat when it went off and, by most accounts, he is somewhat knowledgeable on the operation of F1 machinery.

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[fia=1] [f1x2]UPDATE: Fernando Alonso says steering Locked Mar 30, 2015 8:53:42 GMT -6

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Post by Stigman on Mar 30, 2015 8:53:42 GMT -6

It completely explains how it crashed into the inside wall, and if Macca ever thought they could control what Alonso says to the media, they must have had their head in the sand for the last decade.

Lets see more of that Ricciardo smile!

title

Post by n7thGear™ on Feb 25, 2015 19:15:07 GMT -6

Post by n7thGear™ on Feb 27, 2015 8:49:51 GMT -6

Post by Stigman on Mar 4, 2015 14:45:44 GMT -6

Post by n7thGear™ on Mar 26, 2015 3:10:57 GMT -6

Post by Stigman on Mar 28, 2015 5:39:06 GMT -6

Post by Stig's US Cuz'n on Mar 28, 2015 10:13:10 GMT -6

Post by Stigman on Mar 30, 2015 8:53:42 GMT -6

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