Alonso hospitalised but conscious after strange crash

McLaren's Fernando Alonso was involved in a heavy crash on the final day of pre-season testing in Barcelona on Sunday but according to officials is "ok and conscious", but will stay over night in hospital

The Spaniard, twice world champion, hit the wall on the exit of Turn Three at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour.

Sebastian Vettel, who replaced Alonso at Ferrari this year, told Sky, "The speed was slow, maybe 150kph. Then he turned right into the wall. It looked strange."

Suggestions that Alonso may have suffered an electrical shock while at the wheel of the MP4-30 have been discounted while McLaren themselves have dismissed claims that their driver fainted.

The Spaniard was taken to the circuit's medical centre for initial treatment before being airlifted to hospital for precautionary checks.

McLaren released the following statement: "Today [Sunday] at 12:35 CET, while testing at the Circuit de Catalunya (Barcelona), during the fourth and final day of the current test, Fernando Alonso's McLaren-Honda car left the track at Turn Three, causing the right-hand side of his car to strike the wall."

"Fernando was driven to the circuit's Medical Centre where the circuit's doctors gave him first aid. He was conscious and spoke with the doctors. "

"However, as per usual procedure in such circumstances, he was then airlifted to hospital where he is undergoing precautionary checks."

The Circuit de Catalunya tweeted: "It seems that Alonso is ok. We hope that everything's alright and all ends with just a shock!!"

It is unsure whether the crash was a result of a driver error or a malfunction with the car. Alonso's former Ferrari team, whom he left at the end of last season, tweeted: "All the best Fernando."