Fernando Alonso has been airlifted to hospital after crashing out during Formula One pre-season testing in Barcelona.

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Posted: Yesterday at 3:52pm

The Spaniard was completing his 21st lap of the day in his McLaren MP4-30 when the accident happened on the fourth and final day of the test at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Alonso went off before turn four and hit the wall.

Neither McLaren nor track officials reported the cause of the crash, but observers said the car, which was travelling at around 93mph at the time, suddenly speared across the track before banging into the trackside wall.

The two-time world champion was initially taken from the crash site to the circuit's medical centre in an ambulance.

Track officials said he was then flown to hospital "to continue with medical tests", adding he was "OK".

McLaren later tweeted: "Fernando is conscious and is speaking. He has been airlifted to hospital for further checks."

Team boss Eric Boullier told Sky Sports the decision to airlift the 33-year-old driver to hospital had been "precautionary".

McLaren have been plagued by technical problems this pre-season after switching to Honda engines ahead of the upcoming season.

Alonso rejoined McLaren this season after a disappointing fifth and final campaign with Ferrari.

He won back-to-back world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006 before spending one season at McLaren in 2007.

Ferrari tweeted "All the best Fernando."