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Fernando Alonso airlifted to hospital after F1 test crash

Fernando Alonso was medevac'd on Sunday to a hospital in his home country of Spain after crashing his McLaren-Honda into the wall during a Formula One test session. The two-time world champion skidded off Catalunya track near Barcelona at Turn 3, hitting the inside wall, during the fourth day of the second official pre-season test session of the season. He was reportedly conscious and talking after the incident, but after being examined at the trackside medical center, was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital for further testing. The incident caps a difficult pre-season so far for the McLaren team, which has grappled with mechanical glitches related to the new Honda engine it will be running this year. The British team was stuck at or near the bottom of the time sheets on each of the four days of the first test session in Jerez, and has been relegated towards the bottom of the board throughout the first three days of this second session in Barcelona. This of course wasn't the first time Alonso has endured a severe crash over the course of his decade and a half on the grid. One of his most notorious incidents included a crash at 180 miles per hour during the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix. His crash while practicing for the 2010 Monaco Grand Prix prevented him from taking part in the qualifying session, relegating him to the back of the starting grid, but didn't keep him from finishing a solid sixth in the race at which it's notoriously difficult to pass. But arguably the most famous crash surrounding the Spaniard didn't even directly involve him: it was the infamous Crashgate scandal of 2008, when his team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr was instructed to crash his car in order to help Alonso win the race. Needless to say, Alonso has bounced back from them all, just as we hope and trust he will from this one. We'll be sure to keep you posted on his progress, so watch this space. News Source: McLarenImage Credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Celebrities Motorsports McLaren F1 hospital airlift

McLaren intent on signing Vettel, Alonso

There are several world champions on the Formula One grid this year, but only two multiple world champions. And McLaren wants them both. In fact, the latest reports from pit lane indicate that the British team is undertaking a concerted effort to sign one or both for next year or beyond. According to Autosport, both team principals Ron Dennis and Eric Boullier are focused on signing Sebastian Vettel and/or Fernando Alonso, who have between them taken six of the past nine world championships (the other three belonging to Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, all of whom have driven for McLaren) and are prepared not only to pay handsomely, but also to wait: Vettel is currently signed with Red Bull through the end of 2015, and Alonso with Ferrari through 2016. But both have struggled this season with cars that can't keep up with the front-running Mercedes, and could welcome the opportunity to start afresh with a new team – and a highly successful one at that. Of course, McLaren hasn't been at the top of its game lately either, but the Woking outfit is at the dawn of a new era. Next year it's bringing Honda back to the grid with an all-new engine that may take some time to break in but stands a chance of threatening the Mercedes' dominance this season in a way that the Renault and Ferrari engines have not. It just needs the right drivers to pilot them. As of yet, it seems that McLaren has not received a firm "no" from either driver's camp, and appear to be eager to continue pursuing either or both until they're told otherwise. In the meantime, the team is leaving its current drivers Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen in limbo with the prospect of being signed for another year, another few or not at all. It all depends on what becomes of Alonso and Vettel. After winning his back-to-back titles with Renault, Alonso briefly drove for McLaren in 2007. That was the same in which Vettel made his race debut for Toro Rosso, two years before switching to the Red Bull team he's been ever since. News Source: AutosportImage Credit: Clive Mason/Getty Hirings/Firings/Layoffs Motorsports McLaren F1 Sebastian Vettel

McLaren recalls P1 for faulty backup hood latch

The Basics: McLaren Automotive is recalling 122 examples of its P1 hybrid hypercar in the United States, manufactured at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, England, between March 1, 2013, and October 31, 2015. The Problem: After being disengaged, the secondary hood latch may not properly reengage. So if the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, the front hood could open while the vehicle is in motion, severely hindering visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. (Later examples are already fitted with the new latch.) Injuries/Deaths: Only one incident was reported wherein the hood opened while the vehicle was in motion. The fix: McLaren dealers will install a redesigned hood latch starting this month. The remedy is only expected to take a technician half an hour to complete. If you own one: First of all, you're a very fortunate individual. As relates to the recall, you can expect to hear from the manufacturer to bring your P1 into one of the 18 McLaren dealers across the country to have the repair work carried out. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Hood may Open While Driving/FMVSS 113 Report Receipt Date: DEC 11, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V836000 Component(s): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Potential Number of Units Affected: 122 Manufacturer: McLaren Automotive Incorporated SUMMARY: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 P1 hybrid vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to October 31, 2015. The affected vehicles have a secondary hood latch that may not properly re-engage. As a result, if the primary latch is released inadvertently, the hood may open while the vehicle is moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 113, "Hood Latch System." CONSEQUENCE: If the hood opens while driving it may increase the risk of a crash. REMEDY: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hood latch with a newly-designed latch, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2016. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.