Alonso looking forward to Bahrain despite Aussie wipe out

Spanish Formula 1 racing driver Fernando Alonso confirmed on Tuesday that he will be driving in the Bahrain Grand Prix this coming weekend.

Alonso' s participation had been in doubt following his high-speed crash in Australia in which he escaped almost miraculously unhurt after clipping a car he was overtaking at around 300 kilometers an hour, before flipping over and smashing into a crash barrier.

"I have rested and I am looking forward to getting behind the wheel again," he said in declarations published in Spanish sports paper, Diario AS.

Alonso said he was content with the performance of his McLaren car, saying the "sensations with the car were relatively promising and I hope the same happens in Bahrain."

He added that he was confident that the car would continue to evolve during the early races of the season.

"We are pushing hard to bring improvements in every race. If we are able to get the pieces mounted in time then our aim is to drive as much as possible on the track with the new chassis in the training sessions," he said.

The Spaniard said he was looking forward to racing in Bahrain, where he has won three times in his career.

"I live in Dubai, so I am used to the climate in the Middle East and driving with a different temperature this weekend in a long race presents a challenge for the other drivers."

"I really like racing in Bahrain, it has been a good circuit for me and there are a lot of places to overtake. There are also a lot of variables as it is such a long race and that usually means it is exciting. We hope to be able to enjoy ourselves on the track and not have any problems," concluded Alonso.

After his narrow escape in Australia that in itself would be progress. Endit