Alonso says 'steering malfunction' behind pre-season F1 crash

Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has claimed that his pre-season testing crash was caused by a steering malfunction, dismissing McLaren's claims that the crash didn't occur due to mechanical failure.

Alonso missed the season opening race in Australia in view of suffering a concussion following the pre-season testing accident in Barcelona on February 22.

Explaining the accident, Alonso said that he braked in the last moment and downshifted when steering locked to the right, adding that after the hit, he was kissing the wall for a while, the BBC reported.

Alonso said that he switched off the radio and then the master switch and then the Ers (hybrid system).

The Spaniard insisted that he was perfectly conscious at that time, admitting that he lost consciousness in the ambulance or clinic.

Alonso claimed that the doctors told him that was normal for the medication and the checks they put on one for the MRI.

Alonso had to clear a fitness test in order to convince F1's medical unit he is fit enough to compete again this weekend in the Malaysian Grand Prix.