Fernando Alonso’s girlfriend says the Spaniard should be fit to return in Malaysia next weekend.
After sitting out Melbourne as a result of his testing crash more than three weeks ago, the McLaren-Honda driver is reportedly travelling to Woking this week to work in the simulator.
Team boss Eric Boullier also says a trip to Paris or Geneva for FIA medical tests is on the cards for Alonso this week, as he seeks clearance to return to the cockpit for the Sepang race weekend in two weeks.
Alonso’s new girlfriend Lara Alvarez, a popular Spanish television presenter, says the 33-year-old should be declared fit.
"He is in perfect condition in every way," she told Spain’s ASTV. "I think he will do the next race. Fernando is fine.
"Definitely we will see him on the track very soon," Alvarez added.
She admitted, however, that it had been a tough time for those around Alonso in the wake of his Barcelona crash.
"It was a shock," said Alvarez, "but thank god I can be here smiling."
However, she did not want to comment on what Alonso’s reaction was to the disastrous start to the 2015 season suffered by McLaren-Honda in Australia.
"You must ask him. I cannot answer," she insisted.