Fernando Alonso remembers everything about his accident in Barcelona last month and did not "wake up in 1995".
The McLaren driver was cleared by the FIA on Thursday to race in Sunday's Malaysia Grand Prix, after he was forced to miss the season opener in Australia as part of his recovery.
Speaking publicly for the first time after his accident during pre-season testing, Alonso revealed his steering locked when he crashed into a wall at the Circuit de Catalunya and insisted he was "perfectly conscious" in the immediate aftermath - contrary to rumours surrounding the collision.
"I didn't wake up in 1995, I didn't wake up speaking Italian," the Spaniard said at Thursday's pre-race media conference.
"I remember the accident and everything the next day."
Alonso went on to say he has no qualms about getting behind the wheel in Sepang this weekend.
"There are zero problems and zero worries from my side," he added.
With McLaren team-mate Jenson Button having been lapped twice in Melbourne to finish last of the 11 drivers to complete, Alonso conceded his F1 return will not be easy but would not have it any other way.
"I don't think I picked the best race to watch!" he quipped.
"I'm one of the happiest people in the world.
"I have a tough challenge in front of me but it's going to taste better when we do it."
Williams' Valtteri Bottas has also been cleared to race after missing Australia with a back injury.