McLaren confirms standby for Fernando Alonso in Chinese Grand Prix

McLaren has confirmed that Stoffel Vandoorne is on standby to drive in the Chinese Grand Prix, pending an FIA medical check for Fernando Alonso on Thursday morning.

Vandoorne traveled to Shanghai on Tuesday, on the same plane as team boss Eric Boullier.

"Once again, Stoffel will be on standby until Fernando has his routine meeting with FIA doctors on Thursday," said Boullier. "And until then we will be readying ourselves as normal. Fernando has been recuperating at home and training as usual, and we, like him, hope to see him back in the car. We'll accept the outcome -- whatever that may be -- and plan accordingly."

Meanwhile Alonso said: "It was disappointing to be told I couldn't race in Bahrain, but I fully respected the decision of the FIA medical team. While I hope I'll be back in the cockpit on Friday, until I get the all-clear from the doctors to race -- whenever that may be -- we cannot assume anything, but I'm continuing to prepare for the race weekend as normal."

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