Alonso will be absent from Alpine 2021 team launch

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The Alpine F1 team has announced that F1 returnee Fernando Alonso will not attend the team's 2021 season launch next week.

The French outfit is scheduled to unveil its new car and identity next Tuesday, the same day as Mercedes.

The online presentation will feature Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi, new team boss Davide Brivio and Alonso's teammate Esteban Ocon.

But the team has indicated that "the sanitary situation and corresponding regulations in place do not allow him [Alonso] to do any communications and marketing activities while he undertakes his critical season preparation.

"We will instead publish a Q&A with Fernando for media use and he will be available for media in Bahrain for official pre-season testing."

Read also: Alonso gets the big balls rolling once again

Alonso's winter preparations for his return to F1 after a two-year hiatus suffered a setback two weeks ago when the Spaniard crashed into a car while cycling near his home in Lugano, Switzerland.

The two-time world champion suffered a fractured jaw and a few broken teeth in his misfortune and was forced to undergo surgery and a period of rest before he resumed his physical preparations.

Formula 1's three-day pre-season test will kick off in Bahrain on March 12.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.