Motor racing-Alonso leaves hospital to continue recovery at home

FILE PHOTO: Aug 15, 2020; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IndyCar Series driver Fernando Alonso during qualifying for the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Spanish Formula One driver Fernando Alonso has left hospital in Switzerland four days after being hit by a car while riding a bicycle, his Alpine team said on Monday.

Footage from Spanish television network Cuatro showed Alonso leaving the hospital in Berne, where he had undergone surgery to treat a fractured jaw sustained in the crash near his home in Lugano.

The 39-year-old double world champion is due to make his Formula One comeback this season with the Alpine (formerly Renault) team after two years out of the sport.

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy - October 30, 2020 Fernando Alonso walks on the track ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

"After a period of 48 hours observation at hospital ... Fernado Alonso has now been discharged to continue his recovery at home," Alpine said in a statement.

"He will now have a short period of complete rest before progressively resuming training to undertake preparation for the start of the season."

The season starts in Bahrain on March 28.

(Reporting by Richard Martin/Alan Baldwin; Editing by Ken Ferris and David Goodman)