F1 Today: 25/02/2015
Alonso ruled out of testing
Fernando Alonso has left hospital following his crash during pre-season testing in Barcelona. He has returned home to continue to recuperate ahead of the season opener.
McLaren test driver Kevin Magnussen will now share testing duties with Jenson Button at the Circuit de Catalunya, the scene of Alonso’s accident.
Alonso suffered concussion when he crashed into a wall 20 laps into testing on Sunday and was airlifted to hospital under sedation. A McLaren statement on Monday said he had been given body and brain scans in hospital, the results of which were “completely normal’’.
According to the BBC the FIA is to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the accident to ensure its causes and consequences are fully understood.
Manor confirm entry
Will Stevens have been confirmed in a statement by the team formerly known as Marussia as there 2015 race driver. The team will return to the grid after coming out of administration last week.
The FIA has ordered the team to modify their old car to meet the new rules, with no exceptions. This means the front bulkhead – the top of the front of the chassis – must meet the new rules, which demand it is 5cm lower than last year and the nose cone must be modified to meet new dimensional rules – including a new impact test.
Stevens last competed for Caterham who also went into administration last season and have ceased trading.
Wolff reduces shares in Williams
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff have reduced his shares in the Williams team selling them to entrepreneur Brad Hollinger has increased his stake to 10% from the 5% he bought from Wolff last summer.
Wolff who was once the executive director of Williams said the transaction left his stake at “just short” of 5%. Hollinger now holds the same amount of equity as Williams co-founder Patrick Head.
While the other shareholders include Team principal and co-founder Sir Frank Williams has 52%, 20% are listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and 3% held by an employee trust. Sir Frank has no plans to reduce his shares in the team.
His wife Susie remains the teams test driver and Mercedes will continue to supply en
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