Fernando Alonso has undergone successful corrective surgery on a fractured jaw sustained in a road accident while cycling in Switzerland on Thursday.
In an updated statement issued on Friday morning on their driver’s condition, the Alpine F1 team said medics had discovered a fracture in the 39-year-old’s upper jaw which was subsequently operated on.
“The attending medical team are satisfied with his progress,” read the statement.
“Fernando will remain under observation in hospital for a further 48 hours.”
Alpine say that “after a few days of complete rest” Alonso will be able to “progressively resume training”, with the 39-year-old expected to be “fully operational to undertake preparation for the season”.
Reports from Italy suggested the incident involving a car occurred while Alonso was cycling on roads near Lugano.
The Spaniard is returning to Formula 1 after a two-season absence this year.
Pre-season testing begins in Bahrain on March 12, with the 2021 season’s opening race following at the same venue on March 28.
In his time away from F1, Alonso won the World Endurance Championship with Toyota in 2019, while he has also competed in the Indy 500 and Dakar Rally.
