Fernando Alonso created quite a stir in Thursday’s FIA press conference at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya when the McLaren-Honda driver turned up with his sunglasses on. Was the double world champion trying to conceal something from the prying eyes of the media? Was it a metaphorical illustration of the Woking/Sakura alliance being still in the dark?

It took a while before long-time F1 interviewer and commentator Bob Constanduros finally asked the Spaniard about it. “I have a stye – a little inflammation of my eye,” replied Alonso. “They recommend not to be too much on the artificial light. I try to protect a little bit the eye today and tomorrow to be ready for Saturday and Sunday.” Not sure this is the ideal situation before jumping an F1 car.

Julien Billiotte

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