Alonso able to manage rib pain

Fernando Alonso today admitted that he is still in pain following his massive crash in the Australian Grand Prix last month, after climbing back into the car for the first time in China.

The McLaren driver suffered fractured ribs in the accident, which caused him to miss the race in Bahrain two weeks ago.

He has been cleared to race in China this week, but says he is still in some discomfort.

"I felt good," he said. "I missed the car a lot in the last 26 days so I'm happy to be back.

"There is still a little bit of pain because the rib is not completely recovered.

"The ribs are still a bit fractured but that is normal.

"It's also a circuit with a lot of long right corners, which is not a good combination.

"But it's manageable, the pain, and there is not other risk this time to be in the car so that is the positive thing."

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