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FERNANDO Alonso is to drive the McLaren simulator this week as part of a plan for his return to action. The double world champion missed the first race of the season in Australia to recover from concussion suffered in a crash in pre-season testing.

“We’ve a programme to help Fernando back to racing and he plans to be in a simulator,” said a McLaren spokesman.

Alonso’s programme at McLaren’s factory will also include him going through data from the accident with engineers.

The 33-year-old Spaniard, who spent three days in hospital after the crash, is also planning to undertake this week the official FIA medical tests he must pass before being allowed to race.

McLaren have prepared a 38-page report into the crash and have found no evidence of any faults with the car.

Similar to a flight simulator used by pilots, the F1 device reproduces kerbs and bumps as part of its mock-up of driving a specific track.

It is normal practice for drivers to prepare for the next race in a simulator, but the session will also help Alonso answer any questions he might have about whether his senses have fully recovered from the effects of the accident.

Sources close to Alonso say that he has been concerned by the crash, the causes of which so far are unexplained, and especially by the loss of memory he suffered in the immediate aftermath.

Alonso is determined to take part in the next grand prix in Malaysia on March 28-29 and has been posting photographs of his preparations on his Twitter account. He was in contact with McLaren over the course of a dispiriting Australian Grand Prix weekend, in which they were the least competitive team.

Alonso was encouraging about the team’s potential, his fundamental message being that success when it comes would be all the sweeter for going through the difficult times.

Racing director Eric Boullier has said the team can “build” on the first race distance achieved by the Honda engine, after Jenson Button finished 11th and last in Melbourne.

But he admitted that “it may take more than a couple of years to catch up”.

Alonso has joined McLaren this season on a three-year contract worth $40m (£27m) a year. — BBC Sport