26/02/2015
NEWS STORY
Whilst Jenson Button twiddled his thumbs, the Briton having completed just seven laps of the Circuit de Catalunya, his bosses, Ron Dennis and Eric Boullier called a surprise press conference aimed at ending continued speculation regarding the situation with his teammate, Fernando Alonso.
Following a report in the Italian media that Alonso has suffered retrograde amnesia following the accident, Dennis confirmed that the Spaniard was unconscious in the wake of Sunday's crash but only for a few seconds.
Following three nights in hospital and numerous tests, Dennis insists that his driver is "devoid of all injuries".
Alonso wanted to take part in this week's final pre-season test, but it was decided to rest him in order that he can fully focus on the season opening race in two weeks time in Melbourne.
"All he wants to do at the moment is to race and test," said the Briton.
Asked if there remain concerns that the Spaniard's fitness could still be in doubt at that time, Dennis, who revealed that he has called on the FIA to investigate the crash, replied: "I'm not a doctor, but I can't foresee any reason why not.
"There is a process of tests laid down by the FIA," he continued, "and I can't see any reason why he won't sail through it, but it's not for me to determine."
Shortly after, the Woking outfit's winter took a further turn for the worse as it revealed that its day's work was at an end after just seven laps.
"We're bringing the shutters down on today," revealed the team, "a hydraulic leak means we need to change the engine."