Alonso could miss Melbourne season opener

Fernando Alonso’s manager has sidestepped suggestions the Spaniard might have to sit out the Melbourne season opener.

After four days in hospital, the 33-year-old is now resting with his family in his native Oviedo in the wake of his Barcelona testing crash.

He will not take part in the final four-day winter test, beginning at the Circuit de Catalunya on Thursday.

But manager Luis Garcia Abad insists Alonso is basically well.

"He is as you saw him," he told Spanish reporters on Wednesday, after a smiling and waving Alonso walked out of the Barcelona hospital on Wednesday.

"He is ok — talking, laughing, eating, doing everything normal people do," said Abad.

Alonso will not, however, be driving his McLaren-Honda this week, as the British team drafts in reserve Kevin Magnussen for Barcelona duty.

So when asked when Alonso will be fit to drive, Abad answered: "When he is perfectly rested and doctors tell us that everything is in place, he will start working again.

"It was a major blow, so we comply with the medical protocol, which we did — all the tests, the time - and now Fernando has been discharged and is going home to rest, which is what they told us."

Asked specifically about the Australian grand prix, which takes place in just two weeks, Abad continued: "What we think about is the (season ending) Abu Dhabi grand prix, which is the most important one when you want to win the world championship."