McLaren-Honda driver Fernando Alonso is expected to return to Formula 1 racing at this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix, having undergone tests carried out by an independent panel of medical professionals at the University of Cambridge.

The former world champion, who returned this summer to McLaren after seven years away from the team, had suffered concussion following a crash during pre-season training in February. Alonso hit a wall after veering off the track at the Curcuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in his native Spain.

Doctors at Cambridge were consulted by the sport’s governing body, the FIA, last week because of the need for Alonso to be examined by independent professionals. The Spanish sporting media reported that the Spaniard underwent short- and long-term memory tests as well as reflex tests.

Having been given the all-clear by the Cambridge panel, Alonso will now fly to Kuala Lumpur, where he must pass an official medical carried out by the FIA’s chief medical delegate and the circuit's medical officer before he will be allowed to participate this weekend.

Kevin Magnussen filled in for Alonso at last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, but failed to finish, while his McLaren teammate, Jenson Button, finished out of the points in a lowly eleventh place.

Assuming he does return this weekend, Alonso will re-enter the fray with McLaren facing what is widely perceived to be their toughest season for years.