The McLaren F1 Team have announced that Fernando Alonso will not participate in the Australian Grand Prix after doctors have recommended that the Spaniard rests to avoid further injury.

A statement from the team said that although Alonso is perfectly healthy, the doctors have recommended that to avoid further risk of a second concussion he should sit out the Australian Gran Prix next week.

“Fernando’s doctors have recommended to him that, following the concussion he sustained in a testing accident at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 22nd, for the time being he should seek to limit as far as is possible any environmental risk factors that could potentially result in his sustaining another concussion so soon after his previous one, so as to minimise the chances of second impact syndrome, as is normal medical procedure when treating athletes after concussions,” read the statement.

Although Alonso expressed his desire to race this weekend and feels that he is ready to race, he will heed the doctor’s advice and sit out the Australian Grand Prix. Alonso is poised to return to racing at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

“Fernando’s doctors acknowledge that he feels fit and well, and that he regards himself as ready to race, and, that being the case, they are comfortable with the fact that he has already recommenced physical training, with a view to preparing for a return to the cockpit of his McLaren-Honda car for the Malaysian Grand Prix meeting on March 27th, 28th and 29th”

McLaren reserve driver Kevin Magnussen will take Alonso’s place in Australia next week alongside Jenson Button.