Jenson Button can understand the reasoning why Fernando Alonso will not be making his second debut with McLaren this weekend . On the advice of doctors , Alonso is absent from the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after sustaining concussion following a heavy crash on the final day of the second pre-season test last month . Fears were expressed to Alonso of 'second-impact syndrome ' whereby a serious brain injury , or even death , could occur should the 33-year-old be involved in a second incident so soon after the first . Jenson Button walks through the paddock at the Albert Park circuit ahead of the Australian Grand Prix . After several weeks testing ( above ) , the Formula One season gets underway in Melbourne on Sunday . Despite that there has been scepticism of the decision , particularly as Alonso spent three days in a local hospital and passed a variety of tests . Button knows what it is like to suffer concussion as he was involved in a severe accident in practice for the 2003 Monaco Grand Prix , yet just a fortnight later was back behind the wheel of his car in Canada . On reflection , Button knows he should arguably have never driven in that subsequent race , so can understand the precautions taken with Alonso , even if they appear extreme . 'As far as I know he ( Alonso ) had three days ( in hospital ) undergoing every scan and check under the sun , ' said Button . ' I 'm sure whatever they 've chosen to do is the correct decision . The British F1 driver understands why McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso will miss the race . Alonso suffered concussion after a high speed crash at the Circuit de Catalunya on February 22 . 'Concussions vary . Some are very light , and then you have different grades of concussion , brain damage . 'For me , I raced two weeks after an accident in Monaco in 2003 , with checks of standing on a box , closing one eye and whatever else I had to do . 'To be honest , I scraped through , so they let me race , but that was nearly 13 years ago . Now the checks are very stringent . 'With the incidents we 've had , in particular with Jules ( Bianchi in Japan last year ) , the medical people are going to be more strict , and so they should be . ' A helicopter takes Alonso to hospital after the former world champion crashed during pre-season testing . The Spaniard waves to supporters after leaving hospital , having passed numerous tests . Despite Alonso 's incident at Barcelona 's Circuit de Catalunya , Button insists he has no issues with the car . Initially , speculation centred on mechanical failure or an electrical issue given the new McLaren is now powered by Honda . The Woking-based marque , however , categorically ruled out any such faults and instead stated a freak gust of wind played its part in the double world champion veering off track and into a wall . Heading into Sunday 's race at Melbourne 's Albert Park , despite the lack of running throughout testing given numerous other glitches , Button maintains the car is one of the best he has driven . Button was involved in a serious accident at the 2003 Monaco Grand Prix before returning two weeks later . 'Competitiveness is impossible to say , but in terms of feel and how the car is and what you want it to do , it does everything right and a lot better than last year , ' assessed Button . 'This car is very different in that it does what you hope it will do , which is very important for myself , and also for Fernando as far as I can see . 'The basic philosophy of the car and idea of the aerodynamics and how it works is definitely right . I have n't driven a McLaren like this before , not in the way it works . ' I 'm not saying it 's the quickest McLaren I have ever driven , because it 's not , but in the way it works , the basic car is very good . ' McLaren reserve driver Kevin Magnussen will race in Alonso 's absence at the Australian Grand Prix . Whilst Button is confident of finishing Sunday 's race , he appreciates McLaren Honda are a long way off from challenging their main rivals . 'You are going to have doubts , and it would be stupid not to have doubts when you look at winter testing because we have n't completed a simulated race distance yet , ' said Button . 'Yes , I do know it 's going to be a tough start , but it 's also very different . 'The last two years have not been the easiest seasons for us , but I think the difference with this year is the understanding there could be something very special on the horizon with McLaren Honda . Button looks on as the NSX concept vehicle at a Honda F1 Grand Prix press conference . 'The whole team is unbelievably excited about what could happen in the future . 'But we also understand there 's a lot of work needed before we even start thinking too much about winning races , even podiums and fighting for the world championship . 'It 's a great base for the future , but it is going to take time . It 's not going to be an overnight thing . '
Fernando Alonso will miss F1 opener in Australia after suffering concussion during pre-season testing . McLaren team-mate Jenson Button understands the reasons for safety . British driver was involved in serious accident at 2003 Monaco Grand Prix .