F1 Driver Alonso airlifted to hospital after heavy crash

Officials at circuit in Barcelona say he is ‘OK and conscious’
Driver hit wall at 150mph-turn three

McLaren’s Fernando Alonso was involved in a heavy crash on the final day of pre-season testing in Barcelona on Sunday but is “OK and conscious”, officials said. His team later tweeted: “Fernando is conscious and is speaking. He has been airlifted to hospital for further checks.”

The Spaniard, who won the Formula One world drivers’ championship in 2005 and 2006, hit the wall on the exit of the 150mph-turn three.

An ambulance was dispatched to treat the 33-year-old at the scene of the accident. He was taken to the circuit’s medical centre for initial treatment before being airlifted to hospital for precautionary checks.
“Fernando Alonso crashed in the end of turn three. The car has gone back and crashed into the wall,” a statement from the circuit read.

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.
Ferrari, Alonso’s former team, whom he left at the end of last season, tweeted; “All the best Fernando.”