Fernando Alonso will not be present at Alpine’s launch of its 2021 Formula 1 ca🦩r, the team has confirmed.

Following its rebrand from Renault to Alpine, the French manufacturer will unveil its Renault-powered A521 c൲hallenger and new livery for the upcoming 2021 season next week at a virtual launch event on Tuesday 2 March.

But two-time world champion Alonso, who is returning to F1 after a two-year hiatus from the sport, will not be part of the rebranded squad’s launch event. Alpine says the Spaniard 🃏canno🍬t yet do “any communications and marketing activities” while he continues to recover from injuries he sustained in a cycling accident.

Alonso h𝕴ad to undergo a corrective operation for a fractured jaw earlier this month afte♈r he was hit by a car while cycling near his home in Switzerland as part of his training programme ahead of his F1 comeback.

The 39-year-old is expected to be fully fit in time to take part in pre-season testing in Bahrain between 12-14 March, where he is now also set to carry out his firsಌt official media duties for Alpine.

“We regret to confirm that Fernaಌndo Al🌠onso will not be present for the media Q&A on this occasion,” an Alpine team statement read.

“The sanitary situation and correspondin💮g regulations in place do not allow him to do any communications and marketing activities while he undertakes his critical season preparation.”

Alonso will partner Esteban Ocon at🧸 Alpine as it looks to improve on its fifth place finish in the 2020 constructors’ championship this season, which begins on 28 March with the Bahrain Grand Prix.