Ron Dennis , the McLaren chairman , has apologised for the confusion over Fernando Alonso ’ s condition , and predicted that the Spaniard would race again in Malaysia a fortnight on Sunday . At a dinner in Melbourne ahead of the opening grand prix in Australia this weekend , Dennis set the record straight after saying erroneously that Alonso was not concussed in an accident in testing in Barcelona on February 22 . Dennis said : ‘ It was not the best performance by me . I understand why the press beat me up - for being inaccurate . I wanted to be open and honest . Ron Dennis apologised for saying Fernando Alonso was n't concussed when he crashed in testing last month . Italian Alonso had an accident during in testing for McLaren in Barcelona on February 22 . ‘ I failed . But it is , as always , my objective to try to be as honest as possible in the future . ‘ There are complexities about concussion . It is difficult to quantify , and it goes beyond my area of expertise . It is not my decision whether he will race in Malaysia , but as far as I know he will be there . I have every reason to believe he will be . ‘ I spoke to Fernando on the way to this dinner . ‘ He wants to race in Malaysia . I hope he does , but it is his decision , not mine. ’ Alonso , here being wheeled away from the crash site , says he wants to race in the Malaysian Grand Prix . McLaren boss Dennis relayed Alonso 's desire to race a fortnight from Sunday and says it 's the driver 's choice . Meanwhile Formula One ’ s penchant for chaos was never better demonstrated than in a bizarre court case unfolding just down the road from the Albert Park track that will host Sunday ’ s race . At issue is whether a Dutch driver called Giedo van der Garde should drive for Sauber . Subject to an appeal in Melbourne on Thursday , he will win that right - a decision that could even mark the end of Sauber ’ s participation in the sport after 22 years . This pickle came about after Sauber seemingly reneged on a contract that said Van der Garde would race for them this season . They instead hired two drivers , Brazilian Felipe Nasr and Sweden ’ s Marcus Ericsson , who between them bring £20million to the team . But Van der Garde went to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne , clutching his contract . Dutch driver Giedo van der Garde has taken Sauber to court claiming his right to drive for the team . They found in his favour , a ruling that was upheld by the Supreme Court of Victoria here on Wednesday . Sauber decided to appeal , the result of which is expected on Thursday . The team ’ s lawyers argued that - only days away from this weekend ’ s race - installing a different driver was an unacceptable safety risk . They said the cars had been fitted to the specifications of Nasr and Ericsson . Rodney Garratt QC told the court that the absence of the correct seatbelt meant Van der Garde could not compete safely given the 210mph speed of the cars and g-forces ‘ up to five times their bodyweight ’ . In truth , Sauber ’ s argument was melodramatic rubbish . Even if they need to make some late changes , why is it less safe to let Van der Garde drive than Roberto Merhi , who was only named as Manor ’ s driver on Tuesday ? Merhi has never driven the Manor car . Nobody has . It only passed its crash test last week . Sauber 's Marcus Ericsson ( left ) and Filipe Nasr wait to se if they will drive in Melbourne this weekend . And Van Der Garde , 29 , was even Sauber ’ s test driver last year . They know his measurements . No , Sauber can not afford to drop Nasr , who is backed by Banco do Brasil , or Ericsson , who brings in a sponsorship package worth £10million . Much of the pair ’ s money has been paid up front . Those backers would not react kindly to being told their man is suddenly out of a job . One solution would be Van der Garde agreeing to receive compensation , but it is said he would prefer to get the drive rather than the money . However , even this is illogical because without Sauber ’ s two high-paying drivers the whole team could be forced into administration , meaning therefore , he would have nobody to drive for .
Fernando Alonso could race again in Malaysia a fortnight on February 22 . McLaren chairman Ron Dennis said sorry for his comments about Alonso ’ s condition following his crash in Barcelona on Sunday . Dennis erroneously said Alonso was n't concussed in the testing accident . Giedo van der Garde 's claim to drive for Sauber could end the team . Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson wait to see if they 'll drive in Melbourne . Australian Grand Prix kicks off the 2015 Formula One season on February 22 .