Fernando Alonso ‘woke up in 1995’ after crash in testing

The two-time world champion suffered a concussion after his accident at the Circuit de Catalunya on February 22. He spent three nights in hospital and was ruled out of the season-opening race in Melbourne on doctors’ orders.

And Spanish daily El Pais have now asserted that Alonso woke up in hospital believing it was 1995.

When asked who he was, what his job was and his aspirations for the future, the Spaniard reportedly replied: “I'm Fernando, I drive go karts and I want to be a Formula One driver.”

Alonso, who could reportedly not recall his 2001 F1 debut with Minardi, was a 13-year-old kart racer in 1995 and attended school in his hometown Oviedo. He has since risen to the top of F1, winning two world championships with Renault and had a spell at Ferrari sandwiched between two stints at current team McLaren.

McLaren avoided commenting on the new reports, instead releasing a statement that read: “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.

“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 personnel.”

Alonso has since released a video in which he said he was “completely fine” and raring to get back in the car.

However, he conceded that it was best to follow medical advice and is instead targeting a return at the Malaysian Grand Prix on March 29.

McLaren's reserve driver Kevin Magnussen will replace Alonso in Australia at Albert Park next Sunday.