DECEMBER 14, 2021

Alonso to have more surgery in 2022 off-season

The first act in Fernando Alonso's 2021-2022 'off season' is to head into hospital for an operation.

Fernando Alonso, Abu Dhabi GP 2021
© Alpine

The first act in Fernando Alonso's 2021-2022 'off season' is to head into hospital for an operation.

After signing to return to Formula 1 this year, the 40-year-old Spaniard kicked off his pre-season with a serious road cycling crash.

His injuries resulted in the installation of titanium plates in his jaw, which he has carried with him in his Alpine cockpit throughout the 22-race season.

And now that the Abu Dhabi finale has come and gone, Alonso is returning to Europe where he has another date with a surgeon.

"My destiny in the winter is going to start in hospital," the two-time champion is quoted by El Mundo Deportivo newspaper.

"First I will have the plates removed from my face and my jaw from my accident in February, and then I'll have a few weeks to recover."

Before that, though, Alonso will participate in the tyre test in Abu Dhabi this week, as will new world champion Max Verstappen and many other drivers.

(GMM)