Briatore warns Alonso: I’ll lock you in the garage if you go back on the bike

Former Renault F1 team boss Flavio Briatore has said he warned Alpine driver Fernando Alonso that he will have him locked up ahead of the new season if he insists on continuing road cycling following the driver’s accident in Switzerland earlier this month which left him out injured.

Speaking during an interview with F1 journalist Peter Windsor, Briatore said the driver was "lucky" to walk away from the incident, in which he was hit by a car while out training ahead of the new season, with only two broken teeth.

“Fernando was unable to speak for a day. It was not because of his injuries, but because of a special face mask that reached up to his eyes. He was very lucky that he got off with two broken teeth."

However, Briatore said he has no doubts that the returning former world champion will be ready for testing in Bahrain next month.

"He is already back in training and is recovering quickly. I am completely convinced that participating in the winter tests, which start on March 12, will not be a problem. Fernando will be ready."

And the Spaniard’s old boss said that the driver should halt all training on road bikes

"I warned Fernando Alonso - finally stop getting on your racing bike and riding the road, that's really dangerous! Better go into the mountains and train on the mountain bike, where there is less traffic. But he just doesn't want to hear it. I even threatened him: I'll lock you in the garage!"