Former world champion Fernando Alonso has been provisionally cleared to return for McLaren at this week's Chinese Grand Prix, Formula One's ruling FIA said Thursday.

The double world champion, who suffered a sickening crash at the season opener in Australia, will undergo further tests after Friday's first free practice to determine his "further eligibility." Alonso insisted he was "120 percent ready" to compete in Shanghai.

Alonso's McLaren flipped and went into a terrifying roll in Melbourne after he clipped Esteban Gutierrez's Haas at close to 200mph, but the two-time champion crawled from the wreckage before walking away. McLaren reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne took Alonso's place in Bahrain and scored a point on his debut.